Rick Byrd
Rick Byrd has not done it all, but he decided that he has done all he can as Belmont’s basketball coach.
After 33 years, Byrd announced his retirement Monday.
"For the past 33 years, it has been my privilege to work with, and for, a remarkable community of men and women at Belmont University," Byrd said. "Throughout my tenure as men's basketball coach, our program has received great support from Belmont's administration, faculty, staff and students. For this, I am forever grateful.
“Personally, I have been the beneficiary of a very supportive family that I could count on every single day, a loyal circle of friends who consistently offered encouragement, and a terrific fan base that has embraced our program and our players for over three decades.
“Most importantly, it has been an honor to coach the young men that have brought credit to Belmont University, not only by how they played the game, but how they represented our university all over our country."
Byrd went 805-401 as head coach of the Bruins. His tenure included the program’s transition from NAIA power to NCAA Division I. He has gone 415-220 (65.4 percent) since the move to the NCAA competition and was 390-181 (68.3 percent) as an NAIA program.
His all-time record in conference play is 447-114 (79.7 percent) and includes 10 regular season and seven tournament championships in the past 14 years.
Byrd led the Bruins to eight NCAA Tournament appearances in 14 years capped by its first at-large invitation and first victory this year. His team earned top 25 votes at some point in eight of the last nine seasons.
He is a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and a candidate for the 2019 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction class.
Before Belmont, he was head coach at Lincoln Memorial and Maryville College.
“I want to personally thank Coach Byrd for all his contributions to Belmont University and our entire athletic program,” athletic director Scott Corley said. “He has impacted countless people over his 33 years, far beyond his players and staff. We are all better off for having worked with him. Coach will leave a legacy at this university that will be hard to duplicate. I feel blessed to call him my coach, my colleague, and my friend. I wish him, and his wife Cheryl, nothing but happiness in retirement.”
