LAS VEGAS — When Utah State’s Stew Morrill said he is retiring from coaching, he apparently meant it.
“My son asked me if I would help coach his 8-year-old daughter,” Morrill said. “I said I’d go to the game and cheer for her like hell. But I’m not calling a timeout, even for an 8-year-old game.”
Morrill, 62, announced in January that this would be his final season. His career came to a close Thursday when fourth-seeded Wyomingheld on to defeat No. 5 seed Utah State 67-65 in a Mountain West Tournament quarterfinal at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Prior to his 17 seasons at Utah State, Morrill coached five years (1987-91) at Montana and seven at Colorado State (1992-98). His overall record is complete at 620-294 (.678).
As a parting gift, Morrill was given a cruise by fellow Mountain West coaches.
“That’s pretty awesome … I’d never heard of that before,” Morrill said. “It’s first-class, no doubt. That will be fun. I’m looking forward to new things and new challenges, mostly relaxing for a little while.”
Morrill said there is a good chance that he may retire in the state of Colorado. Three of his four offspring and a slew of grandchildren reside along the Front Range.
He pulled a stunner Thursday following the loss to Wyoming. He said the Aggies (18-13) would decline any overtures from the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) and that the game against Wyoming would end Utah State’s season — and his coaching career.
He guided teams to eight NCAA Tournaments, all with Utah State.
“Our season is over at this point,” Morrill said. “We felt like if we got to the finals (of the Mountain West Tournament) we might be a candidate for the NIT. The NIT and NCAA are basically out.
“At this point we just feel like it’s best for these kids to concentrate on their academics and get ready for a new coach rather than play in any other events.”
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
