KNOXVILLE, TENN. — Tennessee men's basketball coach Jerry Green resigned Tuesday following a 22-11 season and a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The announcement was made by athletics director Doug Dickey.
Green, who replaced Kevin O'Neill as coach in 1997, did not attend the news conference, but issued a statement.
"This ends an emotional time for me because I have never before left where I felt that my work was incomplete.
"Even though I feel optimistic about the prospects for next season, I believe that in the best interests of myself and the university, it is time for a change," Green said.
Green's contract, which paid him $545,000 annually, was set to expire March 31, 2005. His package included apparel endorsements and radio and television appearances.
Tennessee negotiated a $1.1 million buyout over five years: a $100,000 payment on March 31, then annual payments of $200,000 through 2006.
Green's four years at Tennessee were some of the best in school history.
Green, a former Kansas University assistant, took the Vols to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year. He was 89-36 in four seasons, the best winning percentage since Ray Mears, who coached from 1962-77.
The Vols were 20-9 in Green's first season and won at least 20 games each year. Tennessee also went to the round of 16 last season for the first time in school history.
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