WASHINGTON (AP) -- John Thompson, whose tough-love emphasis of academics and athletics turned Georgetown into a respected national basketball powerhouse in the past quarter century, resigned Friday as coach.
Craig Esherick, an assistant under Thompson for the last 16 years, was hired as his replacement.Thompson said he was quitting because his basketball duties were interfering with unspecified "things I need to give attention to in my personal life."
The 57-year-old Thompson recently went through a divorce, had his house burn down about two years ago and just became a grandfather.
"I am not tired of basketball," Thompson said. "I do it because I love it. I am not retiring. I have resigned as head basketball coach at Georgetown University.
"As a result of it being personal, I didn't plan it. Had I planned it, it wouldn't be now."
A tearful Esherick said he tried to talk Thompson out of resigning, but was unsuccessful.
"He was my very first recruit I failed to land as coach, and I'm sorry for that," Esherick said. "I'm not happy for myself. I look forward to the challenge."
Thompson said he received a call from Temple coach John Chaney suggesting he take a sabbatical instead of resigning.
"I said, 'Do you ever lend somebody a toothbrush to use?' It's either their toothbrush or your toothbrush. You don't lend a team."
Thompson said he would remain at Georgetown, performing unspecified duties.