Bennett: No decision till season’s end

PULLMAN – After meeting with athletic director Jim Sterk last week, Washington State University basketball coach Dick Bennett has confirmed that he will not announce his official decision on retirement until the end of the season.

Bennett, in his third year coaching the Cougars, had considered making an announcement before the current season came to a conclusion. His son, associate head coach Tony Bennett, has been guaranteed the job when his father steps down.

But the head coach, who has stated publicly and privately the likelihood of his retirement after this season, said Tuesday that he saw no reason to rush the decision.

“I agreed to wait until the end of the season so I give myself every chance to decide with all factors being considered,” Bennett said. “And I think that’s wise. I mean, I don’t think it’s a big secret that I’m leaning toward stepping aside.”

Bennett is sitting on a 490-299 career record with six regular-season games left in the season. In his previous coaching stops he has produced tournament appearances before moving on, something that has not happened at WSU. But with his son taking over, Bennett has hopes to turn over the program when it is – in his opinion – on the cusp of success.

Both Bennett and his players have acknowledged the probability of his retirement throughout the season.

If the likelihood of his return is slim, Bennett said he and Sterk agreed that giving it a few more weeks can’t hurt.