Jerry Wainwright, the mastermind behind the UNC Wilmington men’s basketball success over the past eight years, resigned yesterday to take the same position at the University of Richmond.

Wainwright’s top assistant at UNCW, Brad Brownell, immediately takes over the Seahawks as head coach. This is his first head coaching position, the same place where Wainwright got his start in 1994.

An emotional Wainwright thanked the UNCW administration for his tenure. “This university has given me an unbelievable opportunity. Peg (Bradley-Doppes) really, really gave me a great opportunity to get to the next level.”

The announcement was made at a packed press conference in Madeline Suites at Wagoner Hall in front of university dignitaries, Seahawks faithful and the local media.

“The greatest tribute I can give Richmond is leaving here,” Wainwright said. “A part of me will stay here.”

Wainwright said that Brownell will make a great Division I head coach. “This is not my day, this is Brad’s day. I really don’t think this is a ‘pass-the-torch’ move.”

Bradley-Doppes, UNCW’s director of athletics, said she had been ready for the transition. “I knew this day would come. Over time, the test of time, I knew who our coach would be,” she said. “Brad Brownell is our coach because he knows UNCW.”

According to Bradley-Doppes, the university and Brownell are negotiating a five-year contract with a base salary competitive in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Brownell said he has wished to be a head coach since he was a kid. “I was a Division III player who knew the game, knew where to be, but couldn’t get there.

“I’ll do my best to be a first-class coach. I’ll do my best to make sure that my staff and the players represent this community in a first-class manner,” Brownell said.

Brownell becomes the sixth head coach in the 51-year history of the program.