Western Carolina basketball coach Larry Hunter steps down

Published

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) Western Carolina basketball coach Larry Hunter says he is stepping down.

Hunter announced the decision Sunday, one day after the Catamounts lost to Furman in the Southern Conference Tournament quarterfinals to finish 13-19.

The 68-year-old Hunter said in a statement that ''it's just time for new leadership, a new voice.''

His 702 career victories include 397 at the Division I level with 12 seasons at Ohio and 13 at Western Carolina. He also was the head coach at Division III Wittenberg from 1976-89.

His only NCAA Tournament appearance as a Division I head coach came in 1994 with the Bobcats and future NBA player Gary Trent. Ohio lost 84-72 to Indiana, coached by Bob Knight.

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