June 23, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio head men’s basketball coach Tim O’Shea has resigned to accept the same position at Bryant University, the school announced Monday. A national search for a successor will begin immediately.

“I would like to thank Tim O’Shea for all he has contributed to our program during his tenure,” said Ohio Director of Athletics Jim Schaus. “We certainly understand Tim’s desire get close to home and wish him the very best in the future.”

“We are in the process of a national search whose objective is focused on hiring the very best coach we can hire in the country,” Schaus said. “I am confident we will be able to hire a quality coach that will lead us to the highest level of excellence for Bobcat basketball in the future.”

O’Shea looks forward to returning to New England, being closer to family and to the challenge of taking Bryant to the next level. He called leaving Ohio a "very tough decision" though.

"I was an assistant coach for 17 years before Ohio University gave me the opportunity to be a coach," O’Shea said. "I am so grateful to the university, the administration and the department for everything."

When asked what he’ll miss most, he didn’t hesitate.

"The people," he said. "We appreciate all the support and the friendships we made. It was really emotional for me when we were packed up and driving out of town."

In seven years at the helm of the Bobcat program, O’Shea compiled a 120-95 (.558) record, placing him fifth on Ohio’s all-time wins list. He led Ohio to a Mid-American Conference championship, two 20-win seasons and a pair of postseason berths, including a scare of Southeastern Conference champion Florida in the 2005 NCAA Tournament.

O’Shea led the Bobcats to a 20-13 record and a spot in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational last season. Ohio also posted its fourth-straight winning record in MAC play, and picked up victories over Maryland and NCAA Tournament participant George Mason along the way.

His tenure at Ohio also included wins over Butler, Cincinnati, DePaul, North Carolina, St. Joseph’s and Virginia. Thirteen Bobcats were named All-MAC and departed senior Leon Williams brought home 2004-05 MAC Freshman of the Year honors during O’Shea’s time on the bench.

Ohio named O’Shea head coach on March 29, 2001, after four seasons at Boston College, where he helped the Eagles to the 2000-01 BIG EAST regular-season and conference titles.

Located in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant will begin a four-year transition from the Division II ranks to Division I and an affiliation with the Northeast Conference.