Former co-workers of Kansas University women’s basketball coach Marian Washington aren’t ready to think about who might coach the team next.

KU volleyball coach Ray Bechard said the athletic department needed to remember Washington’s accomplishments before trying to find a replacement for the future Hall of Fame coach, who Friday announced her retirement after 31 years at KU.

“I think right now everybody wants to appreciate what she’s done over the years,” said Bechard, who has juggled practice schedules with Washington and had an office near hers since he began coaching at Kansas six years ago.

“I don’t think we’re ready to move on.”

Bob Frederick, who retired as KU athletic director in 2001, worked with Washington for 18 years; she served as director of women’s athletics from 1973 to 1979, prior to the merger of the departments.

Washington’s announcement came as news to Frederick, who hadn’t been in touch with her since he retired. But he wished her well with her health and future.

“She’s a legend in women’s basketball and … she’s had a really strong influence on a lot of young people,” Frederick said. “She’ll be missed for that.”

Frederick said that if he had to guess, athletic director Lew Perkins would look to past connections while trying to find a new coach.

“Clearly, with Lew’s background at the University of Connecticut, the first conjecture would be there might be somebody from that program,” Frederick said. “But beyond that, I don’t know.”

One of Washington’s most faithful supporters said she had believed in interim coach Lynette Woodard, who was an academic and athletic All-American when she played for the Jayhawks and was captain of a gold-medal-winning USA Olympic team in the 1984.

Marian Washington, right, visits with Kansas University junior guard Larisha Graves in the Jayhawks' 64-45 victory over San Diego in this file photo from Jan. 3. Washington announced her retirement Friday.

“Being a head coach is new to her, but she is a very quick learner with a value system similar to coach Washington,” wrote Renate Mai-Dalton, executive director of the women’s basketball fan club, the KU Courtsiders. Mai-Dalton, who responded to interview requests via e-mail, started the Courtsiders in 1991 because she thought Washington’s team wasn’t getting enough recognition.

The Jayhawks’ record — 9-16 overall, 2-12 in the Big 12 Conference — hasn’t flourished. But Mai-Dalton said the “turmoil” of transition and the inexperience of the players contributed to the lack of victories. KU has three freshmen, five sophomores, five juniors and only one senior who suit up.

“I do not know who the next head coach would be, but I hope that Lynette Woodard would be strongly taken into consideration,” Mai-Dalton wrote.

Attempts to contact members of the team were unsuccessful Friday.

Further west on Interstate 70, the coach of a certain purple-bearing squad recalled Washington’s impact on the conference.

“The Big 12 and women’s basketball have been gifted by her leadership and contributions,” Kansas State women’s coach Deb Patterson said in a statement. “We will miss this Hall of Famer and the impact she has made on the game and its history.”

Washington is slated to be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame later this year in Knoxville, Tenn.

Her teams have won 560 games with 17 seasons of 20 or more victories.

6Sports video: KU seeking a new women’s head basketball coach It’s official: Washington retires Jayhawks: Washington will be missed Self in awe of Washington’s career Bio Career record Career timeline See the photos: Washington and Woodard KU press release about Washington’s leave of absence Past stories about Washington