DeGregorio Resigns at Rhode Island

Jerry DeGregorio announced that he will not return as Rhode Island’s coach next season after a 10-44 record that is the worst two-year stretch in school history.

DeGregorio, in the second year of a three-year contract, will finish the season with the Rams while the school looks for a new coach, Athletic Director Ron Petro said.

“There has been increased public speculation about Jerry’s future and he believed that such speculation is hurting our ability to recruit,” Petro said in South Kingstown, R.I.

Petro would not discuss financial arrangements made with DeGregorio, who makes $130,000 a year. DeGregorio simply said that “both sides are satisfied.”

DeGregorio, whose previous head coaching experience was at the junior college and high school levels, was signed in April 1999 when Jim Harrick left for Georgia.

The Rams are 5-19 this season, including 1-10 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, and have lost 11 of their last 12. The Rams were 5-25 last season, the worst record in 25 years. That losing season came after the school had played in three consecutive NCAA tournaments.

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Florida forward Brent Wright will be sidelined for the second time this season, after doctors discovered that his right thumb is broken and will require surgery.

Wright, who sat out four games earlier this season because of a stress fracture in his foot, will have surgery today. He will sit out tonight’s game against Louisiana State, and his status will be determined after the surgery.