Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 16, 1991                   TAG: 9104160114
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SOUTH BEND, IND.                                LENGTH: Medium

IRISH COACH PHELPS SAYS TIME IS RIGHT TO RELINQUISH REINS

The flamboyant Phelps ended months of speculation on Monday when he announced his departure from Notre Dame after 20 years of coaching the Irish to some memorable victories but never to a national championship.

"For the last two decades it's never been a job," Phelps said at a news conference on campus. "Every day, even with the ups and downs, was like Christmas Day, where you opened up the present you wanted most."

Last season was anything but a present. The Irish, hit by a rash of injuries, fell to 12-20. It was Phelps' worst season since Notre Dame went 6-20 in 1971-72, his first with the Irish.

Phelps, who led Notre Dame to 14 NCAA tournament appearances but reached the Final Four only in 1978, offered no regrets and gave no indication that the pressures of a losing season drove him to step down.

"It's time to move into the next decade," said the 49-year-old Phelps, adding that he won't take another Division I coaching job but was leaving open his NBA options.

The search for a successor has not officially begun, said associate athletic director Roger Valdeserri, but it's expected that Xavier's Pete Gillen - a former assistant under Phelps - will become a leading candidate. Seton Hall coach P.J. Carlesimo and Duke's Mike Krzyzewksi already have said they are not be interested.

Phelps, who had a 393-197 record at Notre Dame and a 419-200 head coaching record including one season at Fordham, said his immediate plans are to spend more time on his hobby, painting.

The Rev. E. William Beauchamp, Notre Dame's vice president for athletics, said in a statement: "Over the years his teams have provided many thrilling moments, which the university's alumni and fans will long remember."

Phelps leaves with more wins and losses than any other Irish basketball coach.

In Phelps' first season, Notre Dame suffered its most humiliating loss - 94-29 to Indiana. But he quickly revived the program and two seasons later - in 1974 - Notre Dame broke UCLA's 88-game NCAA record winning streak with a 71-70 victory.

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