USC Aiken coach quits

To the total surprise of athletic director Randy Warrick, the USC Aiken men's basketball team will have a new coach in 2005.

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After a disappointing start to the 2004-05 season, coach Mike Roberts told Warrick on Tuesday that he was resigning.

"I had no inkling at all," Warrick said. "I got a call from Mike and he said he'd like to meet with me. We chatted for a while about Christmas, then he told me he wanted to resign. He said it was something he'd had on his mind and put a lot of thought in it."

Roberts told the team Wednesday night, and the university made the announcement Thursday, the first day of practice since Christmas break began Dec. 19.

Lead assistant Steve Franklin conducted Thursday's practice and has been named interim coach for the remainder of the season.

Roberts had been the Pacers coach since 1997-98, posting a 95-111 record. His best season was his first, when he led USC Aiken to a 20-10 record and its first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance. The Pacers' last winning season came in 2000-01; they are 4-6 this season.

"Our program needed a change," Roberts said in a statement released by the university. "I think sometimes programs just need a change, and after last year and this year, I feel this one will benefit from it."

The Pacers were 11-18 last year, a marked improvement on 2002-03, when they were 5-23.

"He said he felt he'd done everything he could for the basketball program and things weren't working out to the standards he thought they should be," Warrick said. "He thought it was a good time to change leadership."

Roberts, who did not return phone calls left at his office and home, will remain with the athletics department and work in other capacities.

"Mike's been involved in athletics most of his life," Warrick said. "He'll help us in fund-raising. He's very well-respected in the community and knows a lot of people. There are some special projects that we do. He'll be pretty busy."

Franklin's first game as head coach will be Jan. 5 when the Pacers play host to USC Upstate.

Reach David Westin at (706) 724-0851 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.

Charting Roberts:

Mike Roberts went 95-111 as the Pacers' coach.

Season and record:

1997 - 1998: 20-10

1998 - 1999: 14-14

1999 - 2000: 13-12

2000 - 2001: 16-11

2001 - 2002: 12-16

2002 - 2003: 5-23

2003 - 2004: 11-18

2004 - 2005: 4-6