SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State head men's basketball coach Brian Katz announced his retirement Friday morning, citing health reasons. The retirement comes one day after the Hornets' exhibition victory, and four days before the start of the regular season.
Current associate head coach Brandon Laird, in his 11th season with the program, will serve as the interim head coach for the 2021-22 season.
"Due to an ongoing health issue, my family has convinced me to retire," Katz said. "After coaching for 45 years, this already feels very strange. I've woken up every day at 4 a.m. fully invested in my players and my staff until I laid my head on the pillow at night.
"I want to thank all of my former players and assistant coaches. In truth, there are many months of the year where, as a coach, you spend more time with your team than your family. I do not remember every game, but I do remember every player. I truly believe the player-coach relationship officially begins when they are done playing for you.
"Lastly, I would like to thank all the fans that supported us over the years. You made the Nest a very difficult place to play for the opposition."
The winningest coach in Sacramento State's Div. I era (1991-pres.), Katz was in his 14th season after taking over the program in 2008. He was named the National Mid-Major Coach of the Year, District 6 Coach of the Year and Big Sky Conference co-Coach of the Year in 2015, and his teams have three wins over Pac-12 Conference opposition during his tenure.
Moreover, Katz's student-athletes have graduated at an exceptionally high rate. Of the 50 players that have expired their eligibility during Katz's tenure, 49 have graduated - a 98 percent success rate. In addition, the Hornets are the only men's basketball team from a public school in the state of California to earn NCAA Public Recognition honors for academic excellence. The team accomplished the feat four straight years (2017-20).