Rod Tyson Resigns as Laramie Lady Plainsmen Coach [UPDATED]

After five years at the helm of the Laramie Lady Plainsmen basketball program, Rod Tyson has decided to step down as head coach. He officially submitted a letter of resignation to Laramie High School Athletic Director Bruce Schmidt this morning.

In an interview with KOWB Sports, Rod Tyson said, "I just felt like it was time to move on; try some different things. I'm still going to continue to coach 8th grade. I think those kids are like sponges, so I'm going to work with them. It's a shorter time period, too."

Tyson guided the Lady Plainsmen to the first ever state title in school history during the 2011-2012 season. They defeated the Casper Natrona Fillies 38-35 in the championship game and finished with a school record 23 wins and just 4 losses that season.

Rod Tyson was 88-44 in his tenure. That included four straight trips to the 4A state tournament over the last four years. It also featured a runner-up finish in 2010 with 22 wins and a third place finish with 21 wins in 2011.

Tyson added, "It's been great just because you have such good kids. They really worked hard and were successful. They bought into our system, and they believed it and lived it. Just shows how good Laramie basketball can be when everyone buys into it."

"I'd like to thank Rod for the years he put in to the program. I know he worked under me for a few years. He was one of the best under level coaches I ever worked with. Then he gave 5 great years to the varsity program, and so he's going to be greatly missed at the helm at Laramie High School," said AD Bruce Schmidt in an exclusive interview with KOWB Sports.

A search for a new coach will begin immediately.

Schmidt said while the timing is tough, there's not really a timeline for a replacement.

"We're going to open it up, and then we're going to see the best we can get and move forward."

What are they looking for in the new coach? Schmidt said a fundamental coach, "We have 5 or 6 seniors coming back, and they're looking for the continued success we've had in the girls basketball program the last decade or so. I'm just looking for a person that's going to lead the girls, give them a great experience and hopefully have them playing in the middle of March like we have been."