Trakh `Resigns’

USC finally announced the departure of Mark Trakh. We previously mentioned Michael Cooper was lined up to replace him.
Here’s the release:

USC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH MARK TRAKH RESIGNS

LOS ANGELES-USC women’s basketball coach Mark Trakh resigned today (April 8) after guiding the Women of Troy for 5 seasons (2005-09).
“I came to the decision that it was the right time and the best thing for both me and USC to step away,” said Trakh. “I loved my time at USC and I’ll always be a fan and supporter of the program. I am forever indebted to Mike Garrett for giving me the opportunity to coach at USC. I wish our players the best of luck in the future. The team will be loaded next year and I won’t be surprised to see them in the Final Four.”
Said USC athletic director Mike Garrett: “We sincerely appreciate the contributions Mark made to the USC women’s basketball program. He gave everything he had to our program. He had some memorable moments and big victories, he recruited well and produced some talented players. He goes out a winner in our eyes. I know he’ll continue to be successful at his next stop.”
Trakh had a 90-64 (.584) record at USC. His first 2 teams were his most successful, winning 20 games in 2005 and then 19 in 2006 as both advanced to the second round of the NCAA tourney (losing to the eventual NCAA runner-up both seasons). Four of his teams made it to at least the semifinals of the Pac-10 Tournament. He had an 8-3 mark against crosstown rival UCLA. His players made various All-Pac-10 teams 20 times and Pac-10 All-Academics squads 14 times. He turned out a 2-time All-American and a WNBA draftee. He signed Top 10 recruiting classes the past 4 seasons, including the nation’s No. 1 group in 2006, and 7 of his signees were named McDonald’s All-Americans.
His past 3 teams-hampered by injuries to key players-each won 17 games, but none made it into the NCAA playoffs. After placing second in the Pac-10 standings in 2005, none of his teams finished better than fourth in the league race.
This past season, his Women of Troy went 17-15 overall, tied for fourth in the Pac-10 with a 9-9 mark and made it to the Pac-10 Tournament final for the first time in history before losing to eventual NCAA Final Four participant Stanford.
Prior to USC, Trakh was Pepperdine’s head coach for 11 seasons (1994-2004), where he twice was the West Coast Conference Coach of the Year while posting a 199-123 (.618) record and guiding the Waves into 3 NCAA and 3 WNIT playoffs.
Before that, he coached Brea (Calif.) Olinda High for 13 seasons (1981-83), compiling a 354-45 (.887) record and winning 4 California state championships and 6 CIF Southern Section titles.
The USC women’s basketball program has won 2 NCAA titles (1983-84), played in 4 Final Fours and made 20 post-season appearances since first fielding a team in 1977. It has produced some of the game’s greatest players, including Cheryl Miller, Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson, Cynthia Cooper and twins Pam and Paula McGee.
Garrett said a search for Trakh’s replacement will begin immediately.