Mississippi State's Stansbury calls it a career

Mar 15, 2012 - 6:56 PM Starkville, MS (Sports Network) - Mississippi State men's basketball coach Rick Stansbury has announced his retirement.

Stansbury, the winningest coach in Bulldogs history, cited family issues for making the abrupt decision.

"Smile, this is a happy day," said an emotional Stansbury at Thursday's press conference. "I've been doing this now for 28 years, 22 at Mississippi State, 14 as head coach. I thought long and hard about this. It's time in my life to start a new chapter, [and] step away from coaching."

Stansbury was an assistant at Mississippi State for eight years before taking over the top job on March 13, 1998. He guided the Bulldogs to a record of 293-166 with a pair of SEC Tournament titles and six NCAA Tournament appearances.

Mississippi State was 21-12 this season, which ended Tuesday with a 101-96 double-overtime loss to Massachusetts in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

The 52-year-old Stansbury has three sons, all under the age of 14, and said he wants to spend more time at home.

"I'm at a point now, I'm ready to become a better father, a better husband," Stansbury added.

Stansbury's teams had just one losing season and reached the postseason in 11 of his 14 years. The Bulldogs had just seven postseason berths in 86 years of basketball before Stansbury's arrival.