Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Joe Golding Latest Coach Departing Alma Mater
May 11th, 2021 - 7:44
We don't know if the song "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" was the background music when he made up his mind. But new Texas-El Paso mentor Joe Golding is the latest coach to make gut-wrenching decision to leave alma mater for a similar coaching position with another school or NBA franchise. Golding departed after 10 campaigns with Abilene Christian. Two years ago, Mick Cronin left following 13 seasons at Cincinnati - the same tenure Keith Dambrot had at Akron before abandoning ship for Duquesne. Following is an alphabetical list of active mentors who voluntarily left their Division I alma maters:
| Active Coach | Alma Mater (Coaching Years) | Subsequent Job (Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Jamion Christian | Mount St. Mary's '04 (2012-13 through 2017-18) | Siena (since 2018-19) |
| Mick Cronin | Cincinnati '96 (2006-07 through 2018-19) | UCLA (since 2019-20) |
| Keith Dambrot | Akron '82 (2004-05 through 2016-17) | Duquesne (since 2017-18) |
| Ed DeChellis | Penn State '82 (2003-04 through 2010-11) | Navy (since 2011-12) |
| Bryce Drew | Valparaiso '98 (2011-12 through 2015-16) | Vanderbilt (2016-17 through 2018-19) |
| Joe Golding | Abilene Christian '98 (2011-12 through 2020-21) | Texas-El Paso (since 2021-22) |
| Mike Krzyzewski | Army '69 (1975-76 through 1979-80) | Duke (since 1980-81) |
| Chris Mack | Xavier '92 (2009-10 through 2017-18) | Louisville (since 2018-19) |
| Greg McDermott | Northern Iowa '88 (2001-02 through 2005-06) | Iowa State (2006-07 through 2009-10) |
| Nick McDevitt | UNC Asheville '01 (2013-14 through 2017-18) | Middle Tennessee State (since 2018-19) |
| Wayne Tinkle | Montana '89 (2006-07 through 2013-14) | Oregon State (since 2014-15) |
NOTE: Christian (George Washington), Drew (Grand Canyon) and McDermott (Creighton) currently coach other colleges.