Legendary women’s basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer is retiring after 50 years and 1,055 wins as a head coach, she announced Saturday.
Stringer, a Naismith Hall of Famer, guided her teams to 28 NCAA tournament appearances and four Final Four berths across her storied career at Cheyney State, Iowa and since 1995 at Rutgers.
Stringer’s retirement will be effective Sept. 1.
C. Vivian Stringer finishes her career with 1,055 wins, four Final Four appearances and 28 NCAA Tournament berths in 50 seasons as a head coach. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
“My life has been defined by coaching and I’ve been on this journey for over five decades. It is rare that someone gets to do what they love for this long and I have been fortunate to do that,” Stringer said in a release. “After recently celebrating the first women’s Final Four team at Cheyney State University, where it all started, it sat with me that I have been at this for a long time. It is important to step aside and challenge others to step up and take this game forward.
“This was the hardest decision of my life, but I thank God he has allowed me to do the thing I love most. I am ready to start my new journey and spending more time with my family, children, and grandchildren. I am truly blessed to have had so many wonderful people in my life.”
Stringer, 74, did not coach at Rutgers the 2021-22 season due to COVID-19 concerns, with associate head coach Tim Eatman taking over for her. The school said a national search for Stringer’s replacement will begin immediately.
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