Stansbury: ‘My Decision’ To Step Down At Mississippi State

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Rick Stansbury said Thursday it was his decision to step down as Mississippi State’s basketball coach after 14 seasons at the helm.

Stansbury said he met with athletic director Scott Stricklin on Wednesday morning before making the decision.

“We both agreed to this,” Stansbury said, according to Brad Locke of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

Stansbury, who is married and the father of three children, said the opportunity to spend more time with his family was a factor in his decision.

“It’s time in my life to start a new chapter, to step away from coaching,” Stansbury said. “I’m ready for it.”

Stricklin has to be ready to find a new basketball coach at Mississippi State.

“He’ll get a coach better than me,” Stansbury said.

That will be easier said than done. Stansbury’s tenure at Mississippi State was largely successful. He compiled a 293-165 record in 14 years and took the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament six times.

Of course, Mississippi State’s late-season collapse kept the Bulldogs from reaching the NCAA tournament for a seventh time under Stansbury. He accepted blame for that disappointment.

“I’m not throwing anybody under the bus,” Stansbury said. “Any time a team is not successful, the coach is responsible.”

Stansbury is responsible for plenty of success, too.