University of Missouri-St. Louis Head Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Tappmeyer has announced his resignation.
“At this stage of my career, I feel like it’s just time to step away,” said Tappmeyer. “I’ve had a great experience at UMSL and this is not about the program or taking another job. I am extremely blessed for the opportunity to coach here and will always be a fan. I would like to thank the administration, assistant coaches and my fellow co-workers for the wonderful support they have shown the past three years.”
Tappmeyer directed UMSL to a winning season in each of his three campaigns, a feat that has not been done since the first four years of the program, which began in 1966-67. Tappmeyer posted a 52-30 (.634) record at UMSL, and in 24 years as a Division II head coach, was 460-238 (.660). The Tritons finished with a 17-10 mark in 2012-13, including a 10-8 Great Lakes Valley Conference record.
“Steve Tappmeyer has laid the foundation for a winning legacy at UMSL and we are eternally grateful for his vision of this program,” said UMSL Director of Athletics Lori Flanagan. “He is an excellent basketball coach who served this University with dignity and class and while we will miss him, we wish him and his wife nothing but the best in the future.”
Tappmeyer directed UMSL to a 19-9 record in 2011-12, the program’s most wins since the 1990-91 campaign. The Tritons finished with a 13-5 GLVC mark, winning the West Division title. UMSL began the league slate with a 6-0 record for the first time in program history and those six wins were part of a 10-game win streak, the second longest in program history. Additionally, Tappmeyer guided the Tritons to their first-ever GLVC Tournament victory, a 71-60 defeat of Drury in the quarterfinals. For his efforts, he was named the Co-GLVC Coach of the Year as well as the NABC Co-Midwest Region Coach of the Year.
In his first season at the helm in 2010-11, Tappmeyer wasted little time in directing the program in the right direction as the Tritons posted a 16-11 record, including a 10-8 GLVC mark, marking the first winning GLVC record in program history.
Prior to his appointment at UMSL, Tappmeyer coached 21 seasons (1989-2009) at Northwest Missouri State, compiling an overall record of 408-208 (.662), while directing the Bearcats to 10 NCAA Tournament berths and three regular season and four conference tournament championships.
A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
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