Citing fundamental differences in the direction of the boys’ basketball program, Rudy King tendered his resignation as Bishop Loughlin interim head coach, effective immediately, on Tuesday.
“I wont be back next year,” King said. “I appreciate the opportunity that was afforded to me to be able to coach in the CHSAA in the high level they competed at.”
In King’s lone year as varsity head coach, the Lions went 16-11 and advanced to the CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals.
“I don’t have any bad feelings toward Loughlin for them making the decisions they made,” King said. “But I do know that going 16-11, going to the final four, winning the (Jingle Bells Jubilee), winning down in Primetime, just competing at the level I thought we competed at, I thought the opportunity would be there for me.”
King spent six years at Bishop Loughlin, serving as a junior varsity coach and varsity assistant before being named interim varsity coach in October. He replaced Khalid Green, who left to accept a position with the New Jersey Nets after five years as head coach.
“My goal is to continue helping the kids, not just at Loughlin, but in general,” King said. “When things happen like this, it’s for a reason.”
King, who is also no longer coaching with New Heights, said he will still be involved with basketball.
“I’m going to get back involved with the grassroots basketball movement, dealing with the younger cats, the seventh, eighth and ninth graders, helping them understand what it’s all about with this basketball thing, the fundamental perspective, the strength and conditioning,” he said. “I’m not going to stop doing my thing. Hopefully another opportunity will arise, but until then I’ll be really strong back in the grassroots.”
As for who the next varsity coach will be, Bishop Loughlin athletic director Angela Proce said it’s a decision she hopes will be made as soon as possible.
“He resigned and we’re going to take it from there,” she said. “We’ve already received calls, faxes, resumes. We’re going to try and fill the position as soon as we can.”
