Longwood women’s basketball has parted ways with eight-year head coach Bill Reinson, Director of Athletics Troy Austin announced in a press release on March 9.
According to the March 9 press release, Austin and Reinson agreed to "part ways" and bring in new leadership to the program, just a week removed from men’s basketball head coach Jayson Gee resigning from his role.
“Coach Reinson inherited a difficult situation eight years ago and brought stability and organization to the team,” Austin said. “In his 15-plus years at Longwood, he has been a tremendous advocate for his student-athletes, and I have never doubted his commitment to helping them develop as basketball players and as people.”
He continued, “However, the results on the court over the past several years have not met the goals we maintain for this program.”
Reinson's current contract ran through and expired following the 2017-18 season, allowing for its review. The department decided not to renew his contract, according to Assistant Vice President of Athletics Communications Chris Cook.
According to the press release, Austin will immediately begin the search for the next Longwood women’s head coach.
Before serving as the women’s basketball head coach, Reinson worked as the assistant coach on the Longwood men’s basketball team from 2002 until 2010. He then transitioned to the interim head coach for women’s basketball following former head coach Shirley Duncan’s departure.
After serving as the interim head coach six games into the 2010-11 season, Reinson was officially hired as the head coach of the basketball team in April 2011. He spent eight years as the head coach, and held a 58-177 overall record.
Reinson led the Lancers to an overall record of 7-23 this past season, losing to Charleston Southern in the first round of the Big South tournament.
“I am sincerely grateful to President Taylor Reveley and Athletics Director Troy Austin for affording me the opportunity to live out a lifelong dream of coaching college basketball,” Reinson said in the press release. “To the talented young group of ladies that I have had the privilege of coaching, I want to say thank you. Although we encountered many ups and downs, I have enjoyed every minute of my time with you.”
