Full statement from Larry Shyatt as Wyoming's men's basketball coach steps down

On Monday, Wyoming’s head men’s basketball coach, Larry Shyatt, stepped down from his position.

This is Shyatt’s full statement:

When we made the decision to return to Laramie 5 years ago, we had some unfinished business. First and foremost, we wanted to help restore respect, excitement, and competitiveness to this proud basketball program. I wanted us to build a championship team… something that we were able to accomplish last season. I did not do this alone…I was fortunate to assemble an incredible staff who had the same visions as I did. Few programs have a staff of such loyal, smart, and committed individuals as do the Cowboys. The players we recruited were aware of the challenges they faced in their quest for success, but, for the most part, they stayed the course, and their focus and determination not only led to individual and team accomplishments over the past 5 years, but have resulted in attracting a new group of talented young men who have committed themselves to continuing this success.

My second piece of unfinished business was to be able to coach with my son. It was always a dream of mine to work side by side with Jeremy, and while we haven’t always agreed on things, I consider this time with Jeremy to have been the best time of my 43-year coaching career.

I have all the confidence that the Wyoming basketball program will not skip a beat, as I know the competence of this talented staff and the potential of our current players will result in nothing less than success.

Very few coaches survive in this profession for 43 years. Fewer get to exit on their own terms. I have been so fortunate to be able to do both. But, I have not been on this journey alone. The true “heroes” through all of this are my wife, Pam, and my sons, Jeremy, Geoff, and Philip. They sacrificed much over the years…my time, my attention, my presence during important life events. Because of me they had to move many times, leaving behind friends and places they called “home”. But, through it all, they remained my biggest supporters and without their strength and love, I would have left coaching long before this.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to my “mentors” who, showed me what to do to be successful, what mistakes should be avoided, but more importantly, to never trade integrity for wins. While there were many times I experienced the pain and pressures of losing, I was not willing to trade success for self-respect.

Pam, who is my best friend, and I do not know, yet, what the next “chapter” of our lives will be. Spending some much needed time with Geoff and his wife, Susie, in Atlanta, Philip in South Carolina, my mother, age 90, and Pam’s mother, age 95…both in Ohio…is at the top of the list. But, with Jeremy and Felicia here, we will certainly not be strangers to Laramie and Cowboy basketball.

Please know that Pam and I are truly grateful to everyone for allowing us to return and give back to all of you some of what you have given to us. I know that there will be many who might be distressed by my decision. I hope that when all is said and done, you will believe how much we will always love this school, the state, and all who are a part of both, and wish us well. Thank you and Go Pokes.

Coach Shy”

Even though Colorado State and Wyoming are bitter rivals, Shyatt and Rams head coach Larry Eustachy were seemingly friends. At least, Eustachy always spoke of Shyatt in high regard, and here’s a look at the two talking before CSU – Wyoming on Feb. 20:

In that game, Wyoming dominated Colorado State 84-66 thanks to awful offense by the Rams and incredibly hot shooting by Josh Adams of the Cowboys.

Following the game, the two Larrys had almost opposite reactions. Eustachy said he felt…well, bad. While Shyatt did the “Papa Shy” dance among others:

Larry Eustachy: "Long term, I feel comfortable. Right now, I feel like sh!t." #CSURams #mwbb pic.twitter.com/LfnsE8LgQm

— Rich (midnight blue 🌠and sunshine yellow ☀️) (@RichKurtzman) February 20, 2016

Papa Shy caps off CSU sweep with a #dab at the state border! #GoWyo #ADU pic.twitter.com/CZULZeW1EH

— Wyoming Cowboy Basketball (@wyo_mbb) February 21, 2016

Dance off into that sunset, Papa Shy.

Wyoming also hired Allen Edwards as their new head coach. Edwards, 40 years old, won two National Championships with the University of Kentucky in the mid-late 90s. Edwards has been on the Cowboys’ coaching staff since 2011.