Former WVU Coach John Beilein Resigns as Cavs Coach

After a couple of days of rumors, former West Virginia coach John Beilein has officially resigned as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. ESPN reports that Beilein will remain with the team in a different role.

Beilein coached the Cavs to a 14-40 record this season. In a statement, Beilein clarified that the decision to resign was his alone.

“This was a very difficult decision for me, but I want to be clear — this was my decision to step down and I truly appreciate the understanding and support of the front office during this time.”

Beilein wrote that this year had taken a toll on him and was concerned about his health moving forward.

Prior to moving to the NBA, Beilein coached the Michigan Wolverines from the 2007-08 season up until last season. At Michigan Beilein had a 278-150 record with four Big 10 championships and nine NCAA tournament appearances.

Before Michigan was Beilein’s time with the Mountaineers. Beilein was hired at WVU after the eight-day tenure of Dan Dakich. He spent five seasons in Morgantown with a 104-60 record and two NCAA Tournament Appearances.

The Mountaineers made it to the Elite Eight in 2004-05 and the Sweet Sixteen in 2005-06, the first back-to-back Sweet Sixteen appearances since 1959 and 1960. That team consisted of WVU stars Kevin Pittsnogle and Mike Gansey as well as Johannes Herber, Frank Young, J.D. Collins and Beilein’s son, Patrick Beilein.

The team went 27-9 and won the NIT in Beilein’s final season in 2006-07.