Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 15, 1991 TAG: 9104150025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS LENGTH: Short
The New York Daily News reported in its Sunday editions that Phelps would announce his resignation at the South Bend campus after 20 years with the Fighting Irish. The News cited "a trusted college basketball source familiar with Notre Dame basketball."
There has been speculation for months concerning the status of Phelps, whose Irish were a disappointing 12-20 last season. There were other reports during the Big East tournament and the NCAA tournament that Phelps had coached his last game at Notre Dame.
Notre Dame officials on Sunday said they were unaware of a news conference today at the school regarding Phelps' status.
"If there's an announcement pending, I don't know anything about it," school spokesman John Heisler said Sunday. "I haven't talked to Digger since last week. But this is not the first time we've seen this. This has come up a dozen times in different ways."
Last season was the worst for the Irish since they went 6-20 in Phelps' first year. The coach was regularly booed at home games this year, which increased speculation that his job might be in jeopardy.
Phelps has a 393-197 record at Notre Dame.
Associate athletic director Roger Valdiserri said he had no knowledge of Phelps leaving.
"I have not seen Digger since Wednesday," Valdiserri said. "He told me he was going out of town. I don't know his plans."
by CNB