RUSTON, La. -- Leon Barmore's one-month retirement was long enough for the Lady Techsters to realize just how much they missed him.

The coach returned Thursday to Louisiana Tech, which was unable to find a suitable replacement for him when he retired in March after 18 seasons.

"The team I love was suddenly surrounded by uncertainty," Barmore said. "I simply could not bear to see the Lady Techsters suffer ... . So after much prayer and consideration, I return to the university I have always loved."

Louisiana Tech, a perennial national power that finished ranked No. 3 last season, had all but appointed former associate head coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson as Barmore's successor.

Her recent decision to leave for Baylor caught the school off guard.

"After my resignation, unforeseen events intervened," said Barmore, 55, who will remain under the terms of the five-year contract he signed last August.

In his 18 seasons, Barmore compiled a record of 520-77 for an .868 winning percentage and led the Lady Techsters to the NCAA tournaments each season, reaching nine Final Fours and winning the national title in 1987-88.

Louisiana Tech president Dan Reneau had spoken with Barmore about the possibility of coming back for his 19th season. When he announced his retirement on March 17, effective at the end of the season, the plan was for Barmore to remain on the payroll through July 1, and Reneau said he never officially accepted Barmore's resignation.

"I am absolutely delighted that Coach Barmore has decided to remain at Louisiana Tech," Reneau said. "That has been my desire all along, and once again it gives us the best women's basketball coach in the world."

Player Brooke Lassiter said the team was excited.

"It definitely takes the uncertainty away," she said. "It allows us to get on with our plans for next year and continue our success."

Barmore led Tech to a 31-3 mark last season, its eighth straight Sun Belt Conference regular season title and its fifth straight conference tournament title. The Lady Techsters lost to Penn State in the NCAA Tournament regional finals.