Waters Resigns as Rutgers’ Coach

Rutgers men’s Coach Gary Waters resigned Wednesday, ending a stay of more than four seasons in which the Scarlet Knights failed to land a spot in the NCAA tournament.

The resignation, coming after weeks of speculation about his future, will take effect at the end of the season. Rutgers (16-12) ends its regular season at St. John’s on Sunday and needs a win to clinch a spot in the Big East Conference tournament.

Waters said in a conference call that he signed a buyout that is worth $550,000 initially and worth “quite a bit” overall. He said he was not forced to resign, but he was aware the New Jersey school was not satisfied with his performance.

Waters has a record of 76-73 in five seasons. He led the Scarlet Knights to their first 20-win season in more than 20 years in 2003-04, the same year Rutgers appeared in the National Invitation Tournament final for the first time.

*

Former Missouri coach Quin Snyder was first encouraged by Athletic Director Mike Alden to consider a midseason resignation more than a year ago, according to Chancellor Brady Deaton’s internal investigation.

And before what would become Snyder’s final season at Missouri, Deaton and Alden in October rejected the coach’s request for a public show of support and a commitment to honor his contract through 2008, Deaton’s Feb. 21 notes show.

The Associated Press obtained the notes through a public records request.

Snyder announced Feb. 10 he was resigning, one day after saying he would remain for the rest of the season. He had two years remaining on his contract. Four days later, he agreed to a buyout of more than $500,000. Melvin Watkins is now the interim coach.

*

Gary Garner is out as Southeast Missouri State’s coach after a 7-20 season, his ninth at the school.

The university said it would not extend Garner’s five-year contract. The decision came days after the Redhawks finished a season in which they were 4-16 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Garner, 62, had a 126-132 record at the school. In 2000, Southeast Missouri reached the NCAA tournament, losing in the first round.