Former Baylor men's basketball assistant Brian O'Neill announced his resignation from the UNM women's basketball program Friday, in light of the Baylor scandal that erupted after the death of former Lobo Patrick Dennehy.
"It is with deep regret that I am resigning my position as assistant coach with UNM women's basketball," O'Neill said in a statement. "During my tenure as an assistant coach at Baylor University, NCAA violations occurred. Due to the ongoing investigation at Baylor, I feel this is the right decision. I want to thank Don Flanagan for the opportunity to work with him and his staff. I wish nothing but the best for the Lobo women's basketball program in the future."
O'Neill added that he would not comment further on his resignation.
The Baylor assistant to Dave Bliss was named a UNM assistant to Don Flanagan on July 8 - after Dennehy was reported missing, but before his body was found or any NCAA violations by Baylor were revealed.
During an investigation into the Baylor basketball program after Dennehy's death, authorities reported Bliss was aware that some players were receiving improper financial aid. Bliss also did not report that members of the men's basketball team had failed drug tests.
Flanagan said O'Neill was not forced to resign, but he believes O'Neill is doing what he thinks is best for the team.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"We are appreciative of Brian's consideration for the Lobo women's basketball program," Flanagan said in a news release. "His stay here was brief but productive. Brian did an excellent job in his coaching duties. The UNM staff and players enjoyed our time with him."
O'Neill worked with Bliss for four years. Before following Bliss to Baylor, O'Neill was director of Basketball Operations for the UNM men's program during Bliss' last term at UNM in 1998-99.
Senior basketball player Melissa Forest said the team was never intimidated by O'Neill's connection with Baylor or his role in the investigation.
"He's a nice guy, and he has a really great family," Forest said. "We just felt like that was behind us, and we weren't going to worry about that."
Forest said the coach's resignation came as a surprise to the women on the team, but they were able to absorb the shock before the announcement was made public.
"We knew before everyone else did, so we had a few days to let it sink in," she said. "We really like coach O'Neill. The coach O'Neill I know is a great person, and he helped our team. We're sad that he had to leave, but that's not our choice."
Forest said she has no idea how O'Neill is involved in the investigation at Baylor, but if she did she wouldn't be able to comment on it.
"It's unfortunate that what happened, happened," she said. "We liked him. We'll miss him, but, at the same time, we know we have to move on."
Flanagan said a search for a new assistant coach will begin immediately.
