Washington Basketball Coach Quits

Andy Russo, presumably under fire after two consecutive losing seasons, resigned as the University of Washington’s basketball coach Wednesday.

Russo was not at a news conference called by Athletic Director Mike Lude to announce the resignation.

Russo, 40, came to Washington after coaching Louisiana Tech to a 29-3 record in 1984-85. He had a 61-62 record in four seasons at Washington, but the Huskies were 12-16 this season after going 10-19 in 1987-88.

The Huskies lost to Arizona, 116-61, and Arizona State, 121-90, on the road in December and never recovered.

Relations between Russo and his players reportedly soured. However, in Washington’s final home game three weeks ago, the players wore T-shirts that read, “We believe in our coaches.”

Russo had two years left on his contract, worth $77,160 a year.

St. Mary’s Coach Lynn Nance, who played for Washington in the 1960s, is reportedly a leading candidate for the job. Other names mentioned as possible candidates included Loyola Marymount’s Paul Westhead, UC Santa Barbara’s Jerry Pimm and Evansville’s Jim Crews.