March 14--Oliver Purnell said last week he had "every intention" of returning as DePaul men's basketball coach next season.
But on Saturday, Purnell resigned, according to the school, after posting a 54-105 overall record and going 15-65 in the Big East in five seasons.
"It is my best interest and my family's best interest to resign as head coach of the DePaul basketball program," Purnell said in a statement. "We made progress here and improved with the talent and character of our student-athletes. DePaul provided complete support and is fully committed to its basketball program with its budget, the on-campus facilities and in the future with the new events center. I would like to personally thank the University community, fans and student body for their support and thank the student-athletes for their efforts over the last five years."
DePaul's season ended Wednesday with a 78-63 loss to Creighton in the first round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. The Blue Demons were 12-20 overall and 6-12 in conference, the first year they didn't finish last since 2007-08. But DePaul lost its final eight games of the season and 11 of its last 12.
"We would like to thank Oliver for his time at DePaul," DePaul athletics director Jean Lenti Ponsetto said in a statement. "He moved the program forward with the building of the roster and we wish him and his family well in the future. We are grateful to Coach Purnell for turning a corner in DePaul recruiting. We are clearly a stronger program because of his leadership. As we now turn to a search for a new coach, we do so gratefully for what he contributed these past five years."
Purnell, whose seven-year contract paid him $2.2 million per year, said last week that DePaul's administration had been "nothing but supportive" of him.
"I wouldn't say I feel any pressure internally, but I do feel pressure I put on myself every year, every team," he said.
DePaul is Purnell's fifth coaching stop in 27 years.
DePaul sophomore Billy Garrett, whose father, Billy Garrett Sr., is an assistant, said last week the criticism lobbed at Purnell hasn't been entirely fair.
"The program is starting to change," Garrett said. "Some places it might take a little longer. He's changed the program around everywhere he's been. The numbers don't lie. His track record doesn't lie.
"From the outside, it's easy to coach a team."
