UMBC coach Randy Monroe out just two days before practice starts

Randy Monroe is out as the Retrievers' coach. Monroe had been at the helm at UMBC for the past eight years and led the program to its only America East title and NCAA tournament appearance in 2008. However, UMBC has struggled lately, winning just 13 games during the past three seasons. “We appreciate all that Coach Monroe did for our basketball program and our community during his long tenure at UMBC,” athletic director Dr. Charles Brown said in a statement. “We wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors.” Assistant coach Aki Thomas takes over as the interim coach for the season. Thomas joined the staff in 2007 after spending the previous three seasons on staff at Howard University.