Charita Stubbs will not return as volleyball coach next year, as Athletic Director Lee Fowler terminated her contract Tuesday afternoon, ending the coach’s 4-year tenure at N.C. State.
Stubbs said Fowler called her into his office Tuesday afternoon to inform her of his decision.
The former assistant at Arizona has compiled a 22-111 record since taking over the program in 2006, said Fowler told her there was just one factor leading to his decision.
“He only listed one reason and that’s that he wanted more wins,” Stubbs said, adding she was also disappointed in the program’s record since she took over. “It comes at an unfortunate time because of the injuries we had to deal with, but if things don’t turn around you need to bring in someone who can.”
Stubbs said the move to end her contract didn’t come as a surprise to her, but added she felt the timing was unfortunate for the program.
“I was surprised in a sense of where we were and everything that took place,” she said. “I don’t know any other job out there where if you don’t phyically peform you get to keep it, so I would be crazy to say ‘Oh my gosh, I cant believe this.’ It’s discouraging, though, that the program is moving in the right direction, but I’m excited for the next person who comes in. Now that everyone understands more about volleyball, the girls are going to do a phenomenal job.”
Players were unavailable for comment during Dead Week, according to Brandon Yopp of N.C. State media relations, because their sport is out-of-season.
And leaving a foundation behind is what Stubbs said she feels she’s done with the program, though it isn’t evident in wins and losses.
“We’re leaving the program in a position where we’re close,” she said. “Even though we lost all the matches in the ACC except Maryland and UNC, the things we did as a team–to the average person standing there we were bad. My prayer is that the next person who comes in and takes over understands the support has always been, it’s about putting the pieces together.”
Stubbs said she would be willing to help put those pieces together if the next coach is interested, adding she would be more than happy to talk to the next volleyball program head.
“I want this program to do well,” Stubbs said.
Stubbs’ assistant coach, Kasey Harwell, who joined the staff in 2007, resigned Monday, and Stubbs’ other assistant, Keisha Demps, was also released Tuesday, leaving Fowler to hire an entire coaching staff before next fall’s season.
Fowler could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon, but said in a press release it was time for the program to move in a new direction.
“We certainly appreciate all that Coach Stubbs and her staff have done for the Wolfpack program during their time at N.C. State,” Fowler said in the release. “Her dedication and commitment over the past four seasons has been exemplary. In the best interest of the program, however, we feel like this is the time to move in a different direction.”
Stubbs said this was the best move for the program, so the new coach could bring a staff he or she is comfortable with.
Stubbs said she isn’t sure what she’ll do next, but plans to continue running her Raleigh-based club team and will look into coaching again at a coaches convention in the next few weeks. She said she’ll talk over her plans with her husband, Melvin, who was a constant supporter in the stands at Reynolds. She said she hoped the fans who supported her and the media that dogged her during her tenure understand how much the support means for a program.
“I’d like to thank everyone who believed in us and for those who didn’t–it’s okay,” she said. “Just believe in the next coach because it goes a long way.”
