FRESNO, Calif., March 15 (UPI) -- Towel-chewing Fresno State basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, who won an NCAA championship with Nevada-Las Vegas in 1990, made his retirement official Friday.
Tarkanian, his attorney and Fresno State president John Welty met Thursday and worked out the details of his retirement. Tarkanian will remain with Fresno State, serving as a senior development consultant to the Save Mart Center, the future home of the Bulldogs.
"Coach Tarkanian indicated to me his desire to continue his support for Fresno State by serving in this important new role," Welty said. "I am pleased the university will continue to benefit from Jerry Tarkanian's knowledge and experience as we bring the Save Mart Center on line."
Tarkanian retired with a 778-202 career record and a .794 winning percentage after a 19-15 season. He entered the season fourth in victories among active coaches and tops in winning percentage (.802).
His 778 victories are the seventh most at the Division I level.
"I'm excited about being able to finish my career here," Tarkanian said. "I've always said this would be my last coaching job and I'm pleased with the progress we have made. It's gratifying that I was able to help my alma mater and that I will still be in a position to continue to help the development of the Save Mart Center."
Tarkanian has coached three different teams to a total of 18 NCAA Tournament appearances and his 29 20-win seasons are second only to former North Carolina coach Dean Smith. He was a fixture in the tourney for nine straight seasons -- 1982-83 to 1990-91 -- with Nevada-Las Vegas, where he coached in four Final Fours.
Tarkanian began his college coaching career at Long Beach State in 1968-69, winning four Big West championships in five seasons before moving on to UNLV. He spent 19 season at the helm of the Runnin' Rebels, compiling a 509-105 record and repeatedly battling NCAA officials.
Nicknamed "The Shark," Tarkanian returned to his alma mater at Fresno State in 1995 and led the Bulldogs to six straight 20-win seasons before going 19-15 this season and falling to Temple in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.
Tarkanian will turn 72 in August.
