Nolan Richardson Steps Down, Teresa Edwards Named Interim Coach
Following the Shock’s game against Phoenix co-owner David Box met with Coach Nolan Richardson at which time it was determined it was in the best interest of the team and organization for the General Manager/Coach to step down and turn over coaching responsibilities on an interim basis to Teresa Edwards, the Director of Player Personnel for the team.
The organization released the following statements:
Statement from Co-Owner David Box
“Despite the disappointing start to this season for the Tulsa Shock, the decision to consider a coaching change in mid season was extremely difficult. Coach Richardson is a legendary basketball coach who has earned the respect of the collegiate and professional basketball family for an exceptional body of work during his impressive 30 plus year career. Last night’s announcement does nothing to diminish his extraordinary accomplishments and our organization’s high admiration for him. We will be forever grateful to Coach Richardson not only for coaching the Shock, but also for his enthusiastic effort to help us raise the money from this fine community to bring professional sports to Tulsa with the . We know Coach Richardson has been without question one of this community’s biggest fans. Our entire organization and team wish him only the very best and will always consider him a part of our Shock family and respect what he accomplished at the University of Tulsa and the University of Arkansas.”
“We are fortunate our basketball operation is headed by one of the most respected basketball minds in the profession in Teresa Edwards. Ms. Edwards has an impressive career spanning three decades at the highest level of competition including as a member of five U.S. Olympic Basketball teams where she earned four Gold Medals. Teresa knows our team well and the players respect her management, leadership and passion for the game. Her credentials are strong and she knows what it takes to succeed. She will serve as the Tulsa Shock’s interim coach for the remainder of the season. We look forward to supporting Coach Edwards as she moves our team forward this season.”
Statement from Coach Richardson
“While I am saddened to leave the Tulsa Shock at this time and in this manner, I am also very disappointed in the way we have started the year, and as coach, I accept my share of the responsibility. I respect our organization and players. This is a class group of individuals who are committed to this community, organization and players. I will be forever thankful for the unique opportunity Bill and David and the entire ownership group gave me to re-enter coaching basketball, something I love to do and missed dearly. I love Tulsa. This community has always been good to me and for me. I want to especially thank my players for allowing me the honor to coach them in the where the finest women athletes in the world compete. I want to also wish Coach Edwards the very best moving ahead. She’s a top notch person. Please know that I will forever be one of the Tulsa Shock’s biggest fans.”
Statement from Teresa Edwards
“In a short period of time, Coach Richardson taught me a lot about basketball and life. He was always gracious to me and he was passionate about the game and his players. He considered his players family and he worked hard all time to make everyone around him better. As the Shock improves, Coach Richardson will always be part of the progress. While the record may not bear it out today, he is a winner in every aspect both as a coach and a citizen. I want to personally thank him and wish him the best. Even though the circumstances are not what I would prefer to become a head coach, I appreciate the opportunity I have been given to coach the Shock on an interim basis. We have work to do and we are going to start right now.”
Updated 07-11-2011
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