Fitzpatrick Leaves IU Staff

Indiana assistant basketball coach Thad Fitzpatrick has accepted an assistant principal position at Brookwood High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Fitzpatrick arrived at IU in the summer of 2003 after spending the previous six seasons as assistant principal and head basketball coach at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala. While Fitzpatrick enjoyed his tenure in Bloomington, he is also eager to return to the state of Alabama, where his wife (Madis) and children (Thaddeus and Dana) reside.

"I have been away from my family for the last couple of years to allow my daughter to graduate from high school, and it is time for us to reunite," Fitzpatrick said. "I sincerely appreciate the opportunity that Coach Davis and the athletics department gave me, and I wish everyone nothing but the best in the future. There is a lot of excitement around this program, and with good reason. Indiana has several talented, veteran players, and Coach Davis and his staff (associate head coach Kerry Rupp and assistant head coach Donnie Marsh) will have those guys ready for the (2005-06) season. In addition, the staff is hard on the recruiting trail, which speaks well to the future of the program. I am certainly rooting for the Hoosiers."

Davis and Fitzpatrick have known each other for more than 20 years, and each served as an assistant coach at Alabama from 1995-97.

"On behalf of the Indiana program, I would like to thank Thad for his effort and contributions," Davis said. "Thad is a good coach and a good friend, and I fully respect his decision to return to Tuscaloosa."

Davis said that a national search for Fitzpatrick's successor will begin immediately.

"This is an important time of year for us," Davis said. "Fall semester classes begin at the end of this month, and individual workouts start soon after that. I am pleased with the effort and attitude that our guys have shown this summer, and we need to build upon that enthusiasm and carry it over to the season."