Childers Steps Down As Women’s Basketball Coach
Friday, March 11, 2011 at 9:03PM David Thackham
thackhamd@mytjnow.com
Bud Childers • Courtesy of Winthrop MediaBud Childers, who has spent seven years at the helm of Winthrop’s women’s basketball program, agreed on Wednesday to step down from his position following the Big South Conference Tournament.
According to a statement by the Winthrop athletic department, Winthrop Athletic Director Tom Hickman and Childers agreed that the coach give up his duties.
Although Childers’ 83 wins as Winthrop head coach place him as the winningest women’s coach in school history, the Lady Eagles’ recent form has been less than satisfactory.
After a 20 win season and subsequent third place finish in the regular season standings in 2007-2008, Winthrop has shown no threat to disturb the top of the Big South. In 2009-2010, the Eagles slipped to below .500 and are now mired in 7th place, with an uninspiring 12-17 (5-11 Big South) record.
The Charleston Southern graduate released a statement, saying, “it is time for me to step aside as the coach [at Winthrop]. It is time for someone new to take the reins of the program and build on the foundation we laid these past few years.”
Childers came to Winthrop in 2004 intending to overhaul a Winthrop women’s basketball program that was mired in disappointment. The club had not enjoyed a single winning season since the program’s creation in 1986-1987.
He and the Eagles struck gold in 2005-2006, earning a 14-15 record, after picking up only two wins the year before. In 2007-2008, Winthrop achieved their first winning season in history, cementing Childers’ Eagle legacy.
However, the Lady Eagles have lost five straight contests leading up to their conference tournament first round matchup against Radford on Friday. This poor string of results is on the back of embarrassing defeats earlier this year to Division II opponent Lander and NAIA foe Southern Polytechnic State. Winthrop finished a lowly 5-11 in the Big South and are the #7 seed against the #2 Highlanders.
AD Hickman showed no sign of hard feelings in a statement released by the athletic department.
“The state of our women’s basketball program,” he said, “now is better than when coach Childers arrived. He raised the overall talent level of the team… and the work and dedication [he] has shown… are much appreciated.”
Throughout his career, Childers has put together an otherwise impressive record of 468-369 (.559).
Winthrop will begin the search for a successor for Childers immediately.
