Sept. 10, 1997
Arizona State's Bill Frieder to Leave Coaching Position
Sun Devil Men's Basketball Program to Begin Search Immediately for Head Coach
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| Bill Frieder |
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State University Athletic Director Dr. Kevin White today announced that Bill Frieder will leave as Head Basketball Coach of ASU's basketball team.
Frieder, Arizona State's 10th head coach, was 133-107 (.554) in his eight-year career as the Sun Devil coach and has posted a career record of 324-194 (.625), including nine years at Michigan, where he was named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year in 1985.
Frieder sent six of his eight Sun Devil squads to postseason play, including the 1994-95 squad which reached the NCAA Sweet 16 and amassed a record of 24-9, ASU's best season in 20 years. Prior to the Frieder era which began in March of 1989, ASU had not been to postseason play since the 1983 season. Frieder also gave ASU its top attendance average (9,333 in 1994-95), the 1994 Maui Invitational title, National Invitational Tournament trips in 1990, '92, '93 and '94 and NCAA Tournament trips in 1991 and 1995. His 133 wins rank second on the Sun Devil victory list behind only 25-year head coach Ned Wulk, who was 406-272 (.599) from 1958-82.
"Obviously, we are thankful for Bill's tireless work ethic and dedicated service to the University," said Dr. Kevin White. "Due to my close relationship with Bill, this was one of the most difficult days of my career. I have the utmost respect for Bill as a coach, teacher and as a person."
"I am confident that this decision is for the benefit of Bill Frieder and Arizona State University," said ASU President Dr. Lattie F. Coor. "Coach Frieder has given us many good memories and also taken us to heights we have not reached in close to two decades. We are thankful for that and wish him the best of luck. We are also anxious to begin a search for a new head coach, and to watch our program grow and compete annually for the Pac-10 title."
Frieder, 55, holds his bachelor's ('64) and master's ('65) degrees in business administration from Michigan. He and his wife, Janice, have a daughter (Laura) who is a junior in the honors program at Arizona State.
Bill Frieder Quick Biography
Notched a career record of 324-194 (.625) in 17 seasons...posted a 133-107 (.554) mark at ASU in eight seasons...notched winning records against five Pac-10 schools while at ASU (Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford and Washington)...led ASU to a school record six straight postseason appearances from 1990-95...ASU reached the Sweet 16 in 1995 and notched 24 wins, its best NCAA finish in 20 years and its most wins since 1980-81...