Coach's staff planned to quit at season's end

By NATHAN HATHAWAY

Fresno State women’s basketball assistant coaches and at least one player have openly expressed their desire to leave a program headed by suspended coach Stacy Johnson-Klein.

All three of Johnson-Klein’s assistants, as well as the head team manager, told the Fresno Bee they intended to quit at the end of this season, even before Johnson-Klein was placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 9.

Interim head coach Adrian Wiggins, Calamity McEntire and Drew Champagne, as well as head manager Nathaniel Meraz, all said they intended to leave the program at the end of the year.

Freshman guard Tierre Wilson also said she would quit the team if Johnson-Klein returned as coach.

“If she comes back, I don’t think I’ll be here,” Wilson said after Saturday’s 65-47 win over Nevada.

“You’ve just got to follow your heart. You’ve got to be happy where you’re playing.”

Wilson estimated she has been unhappy playing for Johnson-Klein since December.

“It probably came out really bad, but I meant what I said,” Wilson said. “I’m playing for my coaches right now. I’m playing for coach Wiggins; coach Mac; coach Champagne; coach Nate, too.”

But not all Johnson-Klein’s players were so adamant about leaving.

When asked if she would continue playing for Fresno State if Johnson-Klein returned as coach, junior Amy Parrish said she did not know but that the coach would have less to do with her decision than the draw of playing in front of a hometown crowd. Parrish is from Hanford.

“It’s basketball. I love the atmosphere here and I love playing here,” Parrish said. “I really can’t say I would or wouldn’t (return) just because she’s going to be coming back.”

In spite of the differences in opinion among the players about coming back, Parrish said the team is the most united it has been all season.

“I think the whole situation is emotionally draining,” Parrish said. “We’re just trying to pull together, and I actually think we’ve done a really good job. The coaches have helped us pull together and to keep us focused on what our goals are right now. Whatever happens happens. It’s not our say.

“I think we’re all really close right now. I think we’re more focused now than we have been all season. It’s made us stronger.”