USA Head Basketball Coach Ronnie Arrow retires

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - South Alabama men’s basketball coach Ronnie Arrow has announced his retirement, effective immediately.  USA Director of Athletics, Joel Erdmann made the announcement Wednesday afternoon at a press conference.

Associate head coach Jeff Price assumes the head coaching duties for the rest of the season, and the school reports it will begin its national search for Arrow’s successor after the 2012-2013 campaign.

“We appreciate all that coach Arrow has done for the program over the years and wish him the best in retirement,” said Erdmann.  “I look forward to working with coach Price this winter as we continue to pursue the program’s goals of achieving success in the Sun Belt Conference.”

The change is surprising to many, as Arrow is the winningest coach in school and conference history. 

Erdmann fielded a variety of questions on why Arrow was departing the program, but said he chose to respect the now former coach’s privacy.

Erdmann said the team was “quiet” when they received the news.

The Jags are currently 5-5 and 2-0 in the Sun Belt.  They return to action Saturday at 2:05 p.m. with a conference game against Arkansas-Little Rock at the Mitchell Center.