Citing medical reasons, Tracy Roller resigned from the women's basketball program Wednesday afternoon, leaving the team without its all-time winningest coach.
The decision was made approximately one year after Roller signed a contract extension that was to pay her a minimum $728,000 and keep her with Ball State University through the 2011-2012 season. At the time, the signing made her the highest-paid coach in the Cardinals' athletics department.
She declined to provide further details, but said her illness was "not something fatal." Roller missed the entire Mid-American Conference portion of 2007-2008 season due to a severe case of mononucleosis.
"I really don't want the staff or students to worry about me," Roller said. "I've already received so many prayers and so many notes, and I couldn't be more grateful for all of them. But I'm going to be fine. I really wanted to do whatever is best for the team, and right now I just need somebody else to take over this program."
Roller first told Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins and Associate Athletics Director Karin Lee of her decision at noon Wednesday. Following that meeting, she met briefly with her team in what she described as an "emotional meeting" to inform the Cardinals' players of her departure. Associate head coach Lisa McDonald, who served as acting head coach during Roller's absence, did not attend the meeting because she was out of state and did not return to Muncie until late Wednesday.
Roller, who was unable to address her team when it became apparent she would not return at the end of last season, said she was appreciative of the opportunity to speak with her players and coaching staff.
"They're like family to me," Roller said. "The main thing I told them was that I'm not going to be the Alabama coach a week from now. I'm not coaching next year because if I was I would be coaching at Ball State."
Roller said she does hope to continue coaching one day, but that time would be after she recovers from her medical situation. Though she maintained she feels comfortable in the Muncie community, she said she recently put her house up for sale.
During her past seven seasons at the helm of the program, Roller became the winningest coach in the team's 34-year history with a record of 118-73. Ball State second-winningest women's basketball coach is Robyn Markey, who recorded a 54-127 record in her seven years at Ball State.
Roller also led the Cardinals past the 20-win plateau three times - in her first two seasons and during the 2006-2007 season, her final full year with the team. In each of those years, Ball State clinched a share the MAC West Division championship.
"We're sorry to see Tracy leave," Collins said. "We're proud of what she has accomplished with our women's basketball program. She's just done a wonderful job of leading the program."
Collins said the search for a new coach will begin within the upcoming days, and McDonald will remain the Cardinals' acting head coach until a decision on next year's coach is made. With the news first breaking to him Wednesday afternoon, however, Collins said it's premature to look too far into the future.
"This all just happened [Wednesday], so I can't really say what we're going to do yet," Collins said. "Right now, I don't have a plan."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
