SE ASSEMBLES COMMITTEE FOR COACH SEARCH

A search for a new head men's basketball coach at Southeast Missouri State University will begin immediately, according to an announcement made Tuesday by Southeast president Dr. Dale F. Nitzschke.

Ron Shumate, Southeast's head men's basketball coach the past 16 seasons, was fired last week amid an ongoing NCAA investigation into the Indians' program.

"We already have received a number of inquiries and specific expressions of interest, so we have put a committee in place to begin screening applicants," said Nitzschke in a release issued by Southeast.

The committee includes representation from the faculty, student leadership, the Athletics Committee, the Alumni Council and the Booster Club. It will be co-chaired by Dr. Joe Low, faculty athletic representative, and Dr. Kenneth Dobbins, University executive vice-president.

It was also announced Tuesday that Carroll Williams has agreed to continue as interim athletic director as long as he is needed in that capacity. Southeast is also searching for a new athletic director because Richard McDuffie left earlier this year to take a similar position at Eastern Illinois.

While Southeast is in the market for a new basketball coach, whoever is hired won't have to worry about recruiting for next season.

Shumate and his former staff (which also will not return) had already signed five players for next season. NCAA guidelines stipulate that players sign with schools and not coaches, meaning they are bound to Southeast and would lose at least a year of eligibility if they decide to attend another Division I school.