Coach Joan Bonvicini led the Cats to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1997 and their first Top 25 ranking in the fall of 1997.

mamta popat / arizona daily star 2005

More Photos (1):

Related articles:

Bonvicini out as UA women's basketball coachUniversity of Arizona basketball insiderPossible replacements for BonviciniOpinion by Greg Hansen : Women's hoops at UA never 'an event' Livengood, Bonvicini to meet next week; 'I am hoping to be back next year,' coach says Bonvicini: A look back Barney exits program for more family time Recruit confirms commitmentUA women's assistant resigns

Other articles by Sarah Trotto:

Teams, fans honor ex-Jaguar Cats 'soul-searching' and rising before the sun Sophomore, 27, has a grand old time on Aztecs soccer team Bannister's path from Germany began with disc full of highlights UW coach's job safe — for now Webb, Lincecum both have strong cases for Cy Young Rehab made volleyball bond strongerSparked by senior off bench, Wildcats good enough to win UA to face ASU as ranked team for 1st time since '06 After scorching start, a number of things went wrong

Legal
Munger Chadwick P.L.C
Associat For Commercial & Corporate Transactions & litigation Administrative & Professional
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER General
Promontory Apts
Maintenance Tech Health Care
xx
Surgery Scheduler Office and Clerical
Golder Ranch Fire District
Secretary Customer Service
LA Z BOY
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES Trades/Construction
Buffalo Exchange
Repair & Maintenance

After 17 years coaching the Arizona women's basketball program, including leading the team to its first NCAA tournament, Joan Bonvicini was fired Monday morning after three consecutive losing seasons.

Bonvicini, 54, was known for prowling sidelines while she clenched a rolled-up game program. "Coach B" brought the Arizona Wildcats prominence with seven NCAA tournament appearances, a Pac-10 title and their first Top 25 ranking in 1997.

But in the last three seasons, the UA earned a 29-63 overall record and was 11-43 in league play. The Cats tied for eighth in the conference this season at 4-14 and were 10-20 overall.

The school will pay Bonvicini, who had a 287-223 record at the UA, for the last year of her $139,000-a-year contract through March 2009, athletic director Jim Livengood said at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Livengood aims to hire a new coach by the end of the Final Four in about three weeks, he said. The school will hire a firm to conduct a national search for Bonvicini's replacement. Associate athletic director Rocky LaRose will chair the search committee.

"We want someone who will allow us to challenge for a Pac-10 championship and obviously be one of the elite programs in the country," said Livengood, adding he is open to hiring a coach with a background in coaching women's or men's basketball or someone with no head coaching experience.

Bonvicini told the Star on Monday night she will seek another head coaching job.

"Some people thought I was tired," she said. "That had nothing to do with it. I'm an extremely competitive person. But I'm also a person of integrity and hopefully good character, and I've always tried to represent myself like that."

Under Bonvicini, the Wildcats last produced a winning season and qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2005. That same year, star center Shawntinice "Polkey" Polk collapsed on Sept. 26 at McKale Center and died of a blood clot in her lung.

Polk's death took a toll on Bonvicini and the program.

"We've had absolutely great teams and taken the program to championships and the NCAAs, where they never were before, but honestly the last three years have been hard," Bonvicini said.

"It's like ever since Polkey died, it's been like the perfect storm as far as injuries or kids with emotional issues, and I really don't know how to explain it except it's been hard."

The Arizona Medical Board issued a letter of reprimand last month to team physician Don Porter for failing to properly diagnose Polk's blood clot.

Bonvicini, who did not attend the news conference, said she had thought it was "definitely a possibility" she would not return, and that it would have been difficult to recruit with a year left on her contract. The most difficult thing Monday, she said, was calling players and recruits to inform them of her departure.

"I'm disappointed, but I'm very appreciative of the opportunity to coach at Arizona," she said. "I've had terrific players, great kids who have impacted my life and I know I've impacted them, and I will continue to help them in any way I possibly can."

Bonvicini's departure did not seem to affect some incoming freshmen, including two athletes who said they will still play for Arizona.

"One of my main reasons for choosing the University of Arizona was the coach," said Ontario, Calif., recruit Amani Butler, who signed a letter of intent. "I'm very disappointed I won't have the privilege to play for her."

Butler said she likes Arizona as a school, so she will honor her commitment. Fellow signee Jhakia McDonald, from Anaheim, Calif., called the news "heartbreaking."

McDonald also said she will attend Arizona because she likes the school and her future teammates.

"She's really nice, and I like her coaching style," McDonald said of Bonvicini. "She understands the way we play and helps us outside of basketball."

Successes and struggles marked Bonvicini's tenure at Arizona. She earned her 600th career victory on Feb. 8, 2007, becoming the 18th Division I women's coach to reach the milestone.

"She's had some really good times, and there have been some tougher times," Livengood said. "Joan is a very good basketball coach, and she's been very good for the University of Arizona. I guess like all things, times come and times go."

Injuries and off-court issues affected the team this season. Two players left the program and another gave birth in November and missed the season. Bonvicini issued multiple suspensions and two walk-ons were added in January.

The team made national news when it dressed six players for a Jan. 3 game at Oregon State. Four players fouled out, leaving Arizona with two players on the court against the Beavers' five when the buzzer sounded.

Bob Neabors, father of sisters Rhaya and Rheya, said the twins were told by Bonvicini last week that they would be granted transfer releases. The sisters were suspended at various times during the season, yet might stay at Arizona, their father said.

The future of Bonvicini's assistants, Bernard Scott and Jonelle Streed is uncertain, Livengood said. Top assistant Kellee Barney resigned last week. She was the seventh assistant to leave the program for another job or personal reasons since 2003.

Before arriving in Tucson, Bonvicini led Long Beach State to the NCAAs in 10 of 12 seasons and to the Final Four twice.

She is a 1975 graduate of Southern Connecticut State and played guard for the basketball team.

Bonvicini's basketball passion was ignited at a young age and translated to her players, including Shannon Hobson, who was part of the program from 2003 to 2008.

"I had the opportunity to hear the stories of when she was little, bouncing the ball at the age of 5 in the cold for hours because she loves the game so much," Hobson said. "That's something that has been reflected in her coaching."