Sharp Is Leaving Trojans for Southwest Texas State

Linda Sharp, who coached USC women’s basketball teams to two national championships, has resigned to accept a job at Southwest Texas State University.

Sharp turned in her resignation to athletic director Barbara Hedges Tuesday, saying she needs a new challenge.

“I’ve been thinking about making a change for a while,” Sharp said from her USC office Wednesday. “It’s a good change, it’s a healthy change. I’ve done as much at USC as I possibly can.”

In her 13 years at the school, Sharp rose from assistant coach to one of the most successful women’s coaches in the nation. She was twice named national coach of the year and led the Trojans--with the help of All-Americans Pam and Paula McGee, and Cheryl Miller--to consecutive national championships in 1982-83 and 1983-84.

During those years, USC played an up-tempo, fast-break style of basketball that was new to the women’s game. And, as Miller evolved into one of the most talented and well-known players ever in womens’ basketball, the fortunes of USC rose in kind.

Sharp leaves not just a record of championships, but also a 271-99 (.732) career record and a 116-40 mark in Pacific 10 Conference play.

Last season, Sharp’s team finished 12-16.

“It was a tough year, that’s for sure,” Sharp said. “We had a difficult schedule for a young team. We played a lot of games on the road, including home games on the road. It was like, ‘Where is home?’ I felt like the Globetrotters.”

Sharp said she has a three-year contract at Southwest Texas (11-15 last season), and will serve as an assistant athletic director for promotions, public relations and fund raising, “All the things I was doing here, but not getting paid for,” she said.

Sharp will start work at the school in San Marcos, Tex., in mid-June.

The Bulldogs are a perennial middle of the pack team in the Southland Conference. Sharp perceives her hiring as a sign from the school’s athletic administration to upgrade the program.

“I’ve got my work cut out,” she said. “I feel as if I’m a builder. I built this program. I’m going to try to build something at Southwest Texas. I want to make it competitive.”