 Former men’s basketball head coach Buzz Peterson is introduced in May 2009. File Photo | The Appalachian “Like everybody else, I was just shocked,” junior guard Donald Sims said. “[It was just] disbelief. Not so much anger; but just shocked that he was actually gone.”
Sims said he first heard the news around 11 a.m. Friday morning from teammate Ike Butts.
“It was by word of mouth at first, then we searched it on the Internet and it was up there,” Sims said.
Peterson officially resigned around 8:30 a.m. Friday morning in a message to ASU athletics director Charlie Cobb.
“To be honest it caught me pretty much off guard,” Cobb said in a teleconference Friday afternoon. “We’ve been dealing with it and trying to work through it today.”
Cobb said he had a conversation with Peterson April 12 in which they discussed plans for the future of the basketball program.
Appalachian Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock released a statement Friday afternoon expressing disappointment with Peterson’s resignation.
“It was with great anticipation and hope for the future of Appalachian athletics that we welcomed coach Peterson back into the ASU community a year ago and looked forward to him being a part of the fabric of the university and the High Country community for years to come,” Peacock said. “While we are disappointed with his resignation, we thank coach Peterson for his efforts over the past 12 months and wish him, his wife Jan and their children all the best in the future.”
Peterson’s first season of his second stint at ASU saw the Mountaineers notch a 24-13 record, a division title and an appearance in the Southern Conference Championship Game.
Sims said despite Peterson’s short stay in Boone, he did not feel betrayed by his former coach.
“Speaking for myself, I really don’t [feel betrayed],” Sims said. “I totally understand his situation. If I was put in that situation, maybe I would do the same thing. I don’t feel any anger or harsh feelings for him.”
When asked what he wanted to see in a new coach, Sims said he wants someone who is dedicated to building the ASU basketball program.
“Obviously I want someone who’s going to want to come in and run this program and recognize the talent we have,” Sims said. “I don’t want someone to come in and change everything. I want somebody to come in and study us and put us in a position, like Buzz did, to be successful.”
Story: ROB JENKINS, Sports Editor |
