When Rick Stansbury announced his retirement Thursday, he said it was not about being tired – it was about being a better father, husband and helping Mississippi State continue to move forward.
The winningest head men’s basketball coach ends his 14-year career with a record of 293-165 and said he did not want to stay on until he had warn out his welcome.
“We’re at the point in our careers, our lives, I want to go out while we’re still great. I promise you, Meo and I are 100 percent at peace and again, have been blessed for 14 years at this university as head coach,” he said.
Even as his career as a coach for State comes to an end, Stansbury will continue to have a role at the university, but it has yet to be determined, MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin said.
“(There is) no one better at developing individual relationships than Rick is. It’s a true gift,” he said. “I’m not real smart, but I’m smart enough to know when someone has a trait like that, we need to maximize that for our institution.”
Stansbury said it was his decision to step down and he did not make the decision on a certain day.
“I’m 52 … do I want to coach again? Right now, I’d say no,” he said. “Right now, all I want to do is spend some time being a better father and help Scott and Dr. Keenum continue to move this university forward.”
Even though Stansbury said he has not always been able to do the things he wanted to with his family, he never took them for granted.
Stansbury said he wants to remain a part of MSU and the community and raise his children in Starkville and over the past two years has had no regrets.
“Our goal this year was to compete and win a championship. And I’m proud Mississippi State people can believe you can win a championship,” he said. “Our family, our staff, Meo and I, are responsible for creating that. We never ran from (these expectations), that’s what we wanted.”
In a statement, MSU President Mark Keenum said Stansbury has elevated the university’s basketball program and will be a part of the university’s history.
“We likewise respect Rick’s heartfelt decision after three successful decades of college coaching to retire and be able to enjoy more time with his family,” Keemum said. “In light of that decision, our plan is to build on the solid foundation coach Stansbury leaves behind at MSU. We will chart a new course that will bring renewed energy and create opportunities for our basketball team to succeed at the highest level.”
Keenum said he looks forward to working with Stricklin to find a coach that is passionate, enthusiastic and will meet that challenge.
Stansbury said he is thankful for all the university and community has done – his time here has been beyond wins and losses; it has been about relationships.
“Whoever (Stricklin) hires … he’ll get a good guy. He’ll get a coach better than me,” Stansbury said.
