Inglese resigns as Boston College head women's basketball coach

4/10/2008 9:22 PM

BOSTON (AP) -Cathy Inglese resigned as women's basketball coach at Boston College on Thursday night, stepping down after 15 seasons with the Eagles.

Inglese was 273-179 at Boston College, reaching 20 wins eight times and appearing in the NCAA tournament seven times in the last 10 years.

``I am forever grateful for the rich and rewarding opportunity that Boston College has afforded me for the past 15 years,'' Inglese said in a statement released by Boston College. ``I especially thank the players, both past and present, for their dedication and committed efforts.''

Boston College reached the NCAA regional semifinals three times in the last six years, and was 21-12 last season, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

``We are very thankful to Cathy Inglese for her 15 years of loyal service and dedication to Boston College,'' athletic director Gene DeFilippo said. ``Her teams have had some great success, and she leaves our program in much better shape than when she arrived.

``She recruited some outstanding young women to Boston College and her teams always performed with class, integrity and sportsmanship. We wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.''

Inglese was 393-253 in 22 years as a coach, including a 120-74 mark in seven seasons at Vermont.

DeFilippo said Erik Johnson will be interim head coach as Boston College begins a national search to replace Inglese.