He couldn’t coach forever.
There was a time it seemed Andy Landers could and probably would. But the only full-time coach the Georgia women’s basketball team has ever had — and one of the winningest in the history of the sport — called it quits on Monday. He retired after 36 years, effective immediately.
Landers’ resignation came suddenly and was executed on the eve of the selection show for the NCAA women’s tournament. The fact that the Bulldogs weren’t expected to make the field was not a coincidence.
“It was apparent to me we weren’t doing what we built this thing to do and that responsibility was mine,” a teary-eyed Landers said in a hastily-called news conference at the Stegeman Practice Facility. “I told Coach (Vince) Dooley a long time ago and I told (former athletic director) Damon (Evans) and I told (current AD) Greg (McGarity), they wouldn’t have to tell me. I’d know when it was time.”
Landers said “time” came for him one morning last week shortly after Georgia returned from the SEC tournament. The Lady Dogs lost to Tennessee 75-41 to finish the year 19-12. After dropping eight of their last 10 games, Landers was not expecting Georgia to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in 20 years and only the third time in the last 34. He said UGA would not accept an NIT invitation even if one was forthcoming.
He said tried to talk himself out of the decision for a couple of days, but that “it just wouldn’t spin.” So he called a meeting with McGarity and deputy director Carla Williams on Monday and told them he was stepping down.
“You have to go back to the beginning to understand,” Landers said. “In the beginning there was a dream to create a program that would compete at the highest level. We’ve done that. The only thing is we didn’t get done was win one of those Final Fours.
“We’ve spoiled ourselves, or at least they’ve spoiled me. I became accustomed to playing at the highest level.”
Landers, 62, took over the UGA program as a 26-year-old in 1979. When he earned his 850th win in November, he became just the eighth men’s or women’s college coach to record that many victories at a single NCAA Division I institution. The others: Pat Summitt (Tennessee), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Geno Auriemma (Connecticut), Dean Smith (North Carolina) and Adolph Rupp (Kentucky). Including his four seasons at Roane State, a junior college, he leaves with 944 victories — an average of 23.6 wins per year.
Landers led Georgia to seven SEC championships, 20 Sweet 16s, 10 Elite Eights and five Final Fours. The Bulldogs played in two national title games, losing both.
Landers informed his players in a locker-room meeting late Monday afternoon. They did not take it well.
“There was no anticipation,” said senior Krista Donald, tears streaming down her face. “He said, ‘When you know, you know.’ I’m just glad he stayed for my tenure, because I came here because of him and his legacy.”
Said freshman Mackenzie Engram: “It caught me completely off guard. When he came in, he said he had some exciting news and my heart was beating in anticipation because I thought we’d gotten an NCAA bid. So, yeah, it was a shock.”
McGarity said there would be no timeline for finding a replacement. Williams, who played and coached for Landers, will lead the national search. Richmond’s Michael Shafer, Georgia State’s Sharon Baldwin and associate head coach Joni Crenshaw are among those who will likely be contacted.
Landers was emphatic about not having anything to do with appointing a successor. “We have smart people in charge here,” he said. “You have to give them credit. They kept me here for 36 years, so obviously they know what they’re doing.”
Looking back, Landers said there are some things he’d do different.
“I’d go back to ’85 and put (Teresa) Edwards back in at the 9-minute mark (of the NCAA title game), but I’d make sure she doesn’t foul out two minutes later. Yeah, you have regrets.”
As for his future, Landers laughed. “I don’t know, but my yard will probably look better than any in the neighborhood.”
