Gary Colson Offers Tearful Resignation at New Mexico

An emotionally distraught Gary Colson resigned Tuesday as basketball coach at New Mexico, ending an often tumultuous 8-year tenure during which he guided the program back to respectability after a major scandal.

Reading from a prepared statement, Colson broke down in tears several times during a news conference outside his Albuquerque restaurant, then refused to answer questions.

Colson, 53, cited “a basic difference of opinion regarding his ability to lead the Lobo basketball program to the next level of success.”

He would not elaborate, but Athletic Director John Koenig later confirmed he had differences with Colson during discussions this week on Colson’s contract, which had two years remaining.

Koenig said Colson will receive a minimum of $177,000 for the two remaining years on his contract. Of that total, $111,000 will come from the school, and another $66,000 from private funds. The agreement also states that Colson would receive an additional $22,000 from UNM if he has not obtained another college head coaching job by May 1, 1990.

“I am saddened and disappointed by the need for this action, which results from a basic difference of opinion regarding my ability to lead the UNM basketball program to the next level of success,” Colson said in his statement. “In light of this difference of opinion, my resignation is in the best interests of all concerned.”

It was Colson’s lack of emotion at courtside that often divided his critics and supporters during the eight years in which he led the Lobos to a 146-106 record. His team had a 22-14 record this season that included a victory over then-No. 1 ranked Arizona.

Colson, who came to New Mexico from Pepperdine, was hired at a time when the UNM program was wracked by a scandal that ultimately led to an investigation and a three-year probation by the National Collegiate Athletic Assn.