CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head men's
basketball coach Henry Dickerson will no longer serve UTC in that capacity,
Chancellor Bill Stacy announced Wednesday.
Dickerson, who compiled a five-year record of 72-73 at UTC, has been asked
to continue to serve the university in the Office of Student Affairs, which
includes university student services, recruitment and/or intramural
activities.
Stacy said the decision was mutual adding that it is simply time for a change.
"I want to thank Dr. Stacy and the university for the opportunity to coach
at UTC," Dickerson said at a news conference. "That is all you can ask. I
was proud of our accomplishments and am proud of our staff. I think we
accomplished quite a bit here.
"If you are in coaching, this is likely to happen to you sooner or later.
Life goes on."
Stacy and Dickerson met Wednesday to review last season's progress in
meeting the goals and objectives established for 2001-02 and approved by
the Executive Committee of the university's Athletic Board. Among their
observations were that Dickerson's team, which finished 16-14 this past
season, won the South Division in the Southern Conference and led the
league in attendance.
However, distractions of student conduct off the basketball court hampered
the team. Attendance dropped for the third year in a row. For the fifth
season, the Mocs saw no tournament championship or post-season NCAA or NIT
participation.
"It is difficult to see the Dickerson era conclude, but UTC can always be
proud of the leadership brought to the university by a first-class
gentlemen," Stacy said.
Stacy expressed high satisfaction that the teaching, advising, and
counseling of more UTC students by Dickerson will now be possible as he is
reassigned to student services.
Stacy indicated that vacant positions in those staff areas are customary
and that Dickerson would provide excellent student support. Stacy
expressed appreciation to Coach Dickerson for his strong loyalty to UTC and
for the strong ethics and integrity that he maintained throughout his
tenure in coaching. Stacy saluted Dickerson as the kind of man to whom he
would entrust his own son.
Stacy said a search process to select a new head coach would begin shortly.
The Executive Committee of the Athletics Board at UTC is now searching for
a new Athletics Director. The timing of the basketball search will allow
the newly chosen Athletics Director last say in the choice of the new head
coach.
The university named current assistant coach Kenny Seifert as its interim
head coach to handle all basketball operations, player relationships and
contractual matters until the new head coach is in place. All existing
university scholarship contracts with students will continue to be honored.
Stacy said that Seifert's previous head coaching experience would serve
UTC well in the interim.
HEAD COACH HENRY DICKERSON YEAR-BY-YEAR
Named UTC head coach Aug. 6, 1997
1997-98 13-15, 7-7 SoCon (1st South Division)
1998-99 16-12, 9-7 SoCon (2nd South Division)
1999-2000 10-19, 6-10 SoCon (4th South Division)
2000-01 17-13, 9-7 SoCon (2nd South Division)
2001-02 16-14, 9-7 SoCon (tie 1st South Division)
Totals 72-73, 40-38 SoCon