Melanie Balcomb no longer head coach at Vanderbilt
Melanie Balcomb will not return as head coach of Vanderbilt according to a report by the Tennessean. The program’s all-time winningest coach saw a slide in her team’s fortunes in the past four years, missing the NCAA tournament for the past two. She leaves Vanderbilt with a 310-149 record overall.
The team finished 2015-16 with an 18-14 record, 5-11 in SEC play. Attendance figures have also seen a downturn in the past few years.
Update 4/27/16: Vanderbilt released an official statement Wednesday evening
Vanderbilt Director of Athletics David Williams announced today that Melanie Balcomb has resigned as head women’s basketball coach, effective immediately.
“We had a constructive series of conversations about the program since the season concluded and Coach Balcomb has informed me that she has chosen to resign,” Williams said. “We want to thank her for her service over these 14 years. She is one of the best X’s and O’s coaches in college basketball and together we enjoyed some memorable achievements. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”
Balcomb has served as the Commodore head coach since the 2002-03 season, compiling a won-loss record of 310-149. Included in her tenure were 12 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and four Sweet 16 berths. Vanderbilt also won three SEC Tournament titles under her guidance in 2004, 2007 and 2009.
“I’d like to thank former Chancellor Gordon Gee for hiring and giving me the opportunity to coach the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team over the past 14 years,” Balcomb said. “We achieved a great deal of success athletically with our three SEC Tournament championships and 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, academically with our 100% graduation rate, ran a clean program and most importantly sent quality young women into the world prepared to contribute in a meaningful way.
“Words can’t express the deep gratitude I feel to the committed players, their families and the Vandy Nation for their efforts and commitment to our program,” Balcomb continued. “After 31 years of coaching I’ve decided to take some time to enjoy my children before they go off to grade school. I rest assured that Vanderbilt is poised, based on the quality of our returning players and our #6 nationally ranked recruiting class, to deliver more great years of success. As for me, I’ll look forward to my next coaching challenge wherever that may be.”
Williams indicated a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
