STORRS, Conn. (AP) – SMU women’s basketball coach Rhonda Rompola says her decision to retire at age 55 is driven in part by the changing attitudes of student-athletes.
Rompola tells The Associated Press that today’s players have a sense of entitlement, are harder to coach and many shop for schools based on the payout of cost-of-attendance scholarships rather than academics.
Rompola announced this week she is leaving the school after 35 years, the last 25 as head coach.
She has led the Mustangs to a 438-315 record, nine 20-win seasons and seven NCAA Tournament berths.
She says she wants to spend more time with her husband, former college coach Mike Dement, and spend a lot more time golfing.