UNO's Williams resigns to 'pursue other career interests'

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NEW ORLEANS -- University of New Orleans head basketball coach Buzz Williams resigned Friday, departing after only one season.

UNO Athletic Director Jim Miller said Williams wanted to "pursue other career interests" and was not more specific.

Later, Williams told WWL-TV off camera that he intended to take an assistant coaching job at Marquette.

Williams went 14-17 (9-9 Sun Belt Conference) this past season and the Privateers reached the Sun Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

He leaves behind a team which will return four starters next season, including Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and AP All-America guard Bo McCalebb.

"I am extremely disappointed that Buzz Williams has decided to resign," Miller said. "But it's his decision on what to do with his career, whatever the reasons. He has made giant strides at improving our program, for which we are grateful, and I pledge that those positive strides will continue with a new head coach."

Miller said a search will begin immediately.

Williams came to UNO after serving as an assistant coach for two seasons at Texas A&M. Before that, he spent four years at Colorado State, where he was associate head coach in 2003-04.

He also had previous assistant coaching jobs at Northwestern State, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas-Arlington.

The Privateers have been out of their regular home stadium, Lakefront Arena, since Hurricane Katrina, but are expected to move back into the facility, which is seen as a key recruiting tool, after renovations are complete in time for the 2008-09 season.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

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