Loyola men’s basketball is forced to move on. The GG Smith era is officially over in Baltimore as Smith announced on March 8 that he has resigned from his 5-year position as head coach of the Loyola men’s basketball team.

Smith joined the Loyola staff in 2007 as an assistant under head coach Jimmy Patsos. When Patsos departed for Siena in 2013, Smith was tabbed as the next head coach.

Smith’s resignation comes days after the Greyhounds fell to Bucknell in the Patriot League Tournament. The loss ended the season for the team, and squashed the Hounds’ NCAA tournament prospects. Loyola finished this season with a 9-22 overall record.

GG Smith finished his Loyola head coaching career with a 56-98 overall record and a 35-55 Patriot League record.

“I would like to thank Loyola, its administration and our student athletes for the opportunities given to me and my family over the last 11 years,” Smith said in a statement to the Baltimore Sun. “While we did not achieve the results we wanted on the court, I am proud of our players’ academic and community accomplishments, and I wish Loyola and its student-athletes much success in the future.”

“I am grateful to G.G. for his efforts on behalf of Loyola University Maryland and our men’s basketball program,” Loyola athletic director Donna M. Woodruff said to the Baltimore Sun. “He has been dedicated to the mission and vision of our program and led us in our transition to the Patriot League for the past five years. We wish G.G. and his family all the best moving forward.”

Loyola is currently beginning a national search for a new head coach.

*Photo courtesy of loyolagreyhounds.com*