Fisher was 295-274 since taking over the Lafayette program in 1980 and was named East Coast Conference or Patriot League Coach of the Year three times.

"It's been a very hard decision to come to," said Fisher. "I've been coaching basketball for about 40 years now, including high school programs, so it's very hard to imagine my life without it there. But there comes a time and a place when it's time to move on."

An Easton native, Fisher coached the Leopards to five straight 20-win seasons from 1984-89, guiding them to ECC titles in 1985 and 1987. Lafayette captured two Patriot League crowns and Fisher was named Coach of the Year following the 1991-92 season.

But the Leopards have gone 46-93 over the last seven seasons, finished last in the Patriot League in 2000-01 with a 7-21 overall mark and lost in the opening round of the conference tournament.

"This is a bittersweet moment for Lafayette athletics," said athletic director Eve Atkinson. "We are terribly sad to lose a tremendous coach in Pat Fisher but happy for her as a person in that we are able to celebrate such a tremendous career."