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| | Wednesday, November 17 | |||||
| MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Johnny Jones spent Monday meeting with
university officials, planning for the season opener and running
his first practice as the interim basketball coach of the Memphis
Tigers.
University officials selected Jones, 38, as interim
coach on Sunday night following the unexpected resignation of Tic
Price eight days before the start of his third season.
No reason was given for Price's resignation, and officials said
Price told them he was leaving town immediately. But one of his
player said Price was concerned about his health.
Jones, hired by Price as his associate head coach shortly after he took over the program in 1997, said his former boss recently made several trips to doctors but didn't discuss anything. "It's one of those things that we've just got to work through and pretty much roll up our sleeves and face it head on," said Jones, whose Tigers leave Friday for Hawaii to open the season Monday against Georgetown in the Maui Invitational. Price's resignation caught everyone off guard. He had just signed two recruits to letters-of-intent last week. But The Commercial Appeal reported Monday that Price spent much of Sunday meeting with athletics director R.C. Johnson before his resignation was announced. Asked why they acted so quickly, Johnson said, "There are no secrets in Memphis." The athletic director declined to discuss the terms of any settlement with Price and called the details of the resignation confidential. "It might come out eventually, but it won't come from me," Johnson said. Price, 43, met with his players before his resignation was announced, and players described it as emotional. Junior guard Marcus Moody, the first high school player signed by Price, said they were stunned and disappointed. "He said it was about his health, and it was wearing on him physically and emotionally," Moody said. Under Price, Memphis had a record of 30-27 in his two seasons and was coming off a disappointing 13-15 season. One of the best players from that team, guard Jimmie "Snap" Hunter, was declared ineligible after the season and left school. University officials plan to announce their new head coach at the end of this season. Johnson said Jones, known as a top recruiter, and the current assistants will be among the candidates.It's the first head coaching job for Jones, who spent 13 years on Dale Brown's staff at LSU and four years as one of Brown's players. Jones is one of a very few to play and coach in Final Four games. Jones was a member of LSU's Final Four team in 1981 and went with them to the tournament semifinals as an assistant coach in 1986. He was associate head coach from 1994 through 1997. "If you have a son or grandson, he's the fellow to coach them," said Brown, who retired two years ago. "He's just a classy individual and I'm confident he'll do very well." Brown said Jones called Sunday to tell him about his new job. "He was excited but disappointed that the head coach had stepped down," Jones said. "He really liked the head coach." At LSU, Jones was accused of paying Lester Earl, now a Kansas Jayhawk, $6,600. But the NCAA cleared Jones last November. The Tigers' last interim coach, Larry Finch, who took over for Dana Kirk in 1986, was given the permanent job and lasted until March 1997. Memphis bought out his contract following falling attendance and fan criticism over recruiting disappointments in Memphis area high schools. | ALSO SEE Former Memphis coach says resignation a result of 'personal failings'
Police look into assault allegation involving former Memphis coach
Price steps down as Memphis hoops coach
ESPN.com's college basketball preview
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