Jim Phelan is retiring because he wants a real offseason.
Phelan, who has coached in 1,312 games and amassed 824 wins since taking over as the head coach at Mount Saint Mary's in 1954, announced yesterday he will retire at the end of the season.
The 73-year-old coach battled prostate cancer in 2000, but said his decision had nothing to with his health.
"What used to be your offseason is no longer your offseason," he said at a news conference.
Phelan's 824 career wins is the most among active coaches and fourth on the career list behind Dean Smith (879), Adolph Rupp (876) and Clarence "Big House" Gaines (828).
Phelan, a South Philly native, attended La Salle and played for the Philadelphia Warriors.
Phelan has taken the Mountaineers to the NCAA Tournament 16 times, including five trips to the Division II Final Four. He led The Mount to the 1962 College Division title.
The most prominent athlete to play for Phelan is probably Fred Carter, The Mount's first black player. Carter went on to enjoy a solid NBA career, including six seasons with the 76ers, and is a prominent basketball TV analyst.
"Coach had an impact on me as a player and a person," Carter said.
Noteworthy
* Saint Louis coach Brad Soderberg was hospitalized with flulike symptoms.
In a game last night:
* At Southern California, Hassan Adams scored 21 points to lift No. 2 Arizona (12-1, 5-0 Pac-10, 81-72. *
