Gary Steelheads Head Coach Resigns from Team
January 21, 2005 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Boise, ID (January 21, 2005) â Gary Steelheads Head Coach Duane Ticknor has resigned from the team due to health related problems and family issues, it was announced Friday by the Steelheads front office. Steelheads Owner and Chief Executive Officer Jewell Harris Sr. also announced that Ticknor's assistant coach Dale Osbourne will take over as the team's head coach for the remainder of the season.
"While I am disappointed that Duane will no longer be able to provide the great leadership, coaching ability and technique that he brings to the organization, I do recognize that the quality of our health to ourselves and our family should, and will always be, our top priority," stated Harris. "I want Coach Ticknor to always take pride in the success of the Gary Steelheads, with whom he played a major role. I will always be grateful to his wife Mary and his son David. Without them he would not have been able to perform at the level that was so satisfying to all of us."
Osbourne becomes the fourth head coach in Steelheads history, after serving as the Associate Head Coach for the past two and a half seasons under Ticknor. Prior to becoming a coach in the professional ranks, Osbourne served as a student assistant coach at his alma mater South Alabama during the 1988-89 season. He later returned to South Alabama as an assistant coach from 1992-99, serving under former CBA coach Bill Musselman during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons, and helped lead the Jaguars to Sun Belt Conference championships in 1997 and 1998.
"I would like to thank Mr. Harris for this chance to coach the Steelheads," remarked Osbourne. "While I am grateful for this opportunity, I wish it would come under different circumstances. Duane is not only a great coach, but a greater person, and I also share his concerns as it relates to his health."
The Steelheads were 11-13 (3.2 quarter-point average) in 24 games under the direction of Ticknor this season, sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference. Osbourne will begin his duties as the team's leader Saturday, when the Great Lakes Storm hosts Gary at the Birch Run Expo Center.
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