Blue Knight Men's Basketball Coach Resigns
URBANA, Ohio (February 27, 2008) – Urbana University Director of Athletics Doug Young today announced the resignation of head men's basketball coach and associate athletic director Paul Bryant. Bryant is finishing his PhD in Higher Education Leadership and also pursuing other career opportunities in higher education.

“We want to thank Paul for his hard work and dedication to Urbana University over the last five years,” said Young. “He has been a great mentor for our student-athletes and has been an asset to the Blue Knight Department of Athletics. We will miss his leadership and great spirit, on and off the court."

“I want to thank the ( Urbana University) Board of Trustees and Dr. (Robert) Head for the opportunity, as well as the experience I’ve attained at Urbana,” said Bryant. “Serving as the interim AD and associate AD has given me knowledge of the business-side of the University.”

Bryant has coached the Blue Knight men’s basketball team since 2003 and was promoted to associate director of athletics in 2004. Urbana had a 41-107 record during Bryant’s tenure.

“It has gone by so fast and it’s been such an enjoyable experience,” said Bryant of his time at Urbana. “The win-loss record was not what I envisioned when I first came here, but seeing the maturation of so many young men is what I’m proud of. I am proud to be a part of the Blue Knight family.”

During his five seasons, 26 of Bryant’s student-athletes graduated from Urbana University; while another seven went on to play professional basketball. He has had 10 players named all-conference and one named an all-American in four seasons.

“I would like to be remembered as someone who gave people second chances and opportunities they normally would not have had,” said Bryant. “I enjoyed mentoring these young men. I feel like I’ve touched quite a few lives here.

“I will really miss my co-workers and the student-athletes that I worked with at Urbana,” added Bryant.

Bryant was the 2005-06 American Mideast Conference Coach of the Year after leading Urbana to a 15-15 record and a berth to the AMC playoffs for the first time since 1997.

Prior to coming to Urbana, Bryant was the head coach at Sinclair Community College from 1997-2003 where his squad made three regional tournament final four appearances in 1998, 2001 and 2003.

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