BREAKING: Purdue Women’s Basketball Coach, Sharon Versyp, Announces Retirement

Versyp has exited Purdue earlier than previously expected.

In a bit shocking fashion, Purdue Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Sharon Versyp, has decided to retire from coaching, per a release from the program.

This was earlier than expected as she was set to coach one final season this year with the Boilermakers and then hand the keys over to Katie Gearlds at season’s end. One can assume, this decision has to do with the accusations and subsequent investigation that she contributed to a “toxic and hostile” environment.

Since that news broke in August, things had been very quiet out of the program. It is entirely possible that she was going to have her contract terminated and Purdue gave her the opportunity to retire or she did not want to be a distraction for the program heading into the season. Either way this is purely speculation.

Versyp retires as Purdue’s all-time wins leader in program history and the winningest Big Ten Tournament coach in conference history. Although her teams had been in decline over the past handful of seasons, she is undoubtably one of if not the greatest coach Purdue Women’s Basketball has seen.

Now the Boilermaker faithful will turn their attention to first year head coach, Katie Gearlds. After a stellar start to her coaching career at NAIA powerhouse Marian (Ind.) she will look to lift a once dominant program from the basement of the Big Ten.