SAN DIEGO (KGTV)- San Diego State University's men's basketball coach Steve Fisher announced his decision to retire to university staff Monday, 10News sports director Ben Higgins independently confirmed.
The San Diego Union-Tribune broke the news this afternoon, adding that a formal announcement would be made at a news conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
Fisher is expected to announce his longtime assistant Brian Dutcher as his replacement.
When Fisher arrived at San Diego State in 1999, he revived a moribund basketball program, leading the Aztecs to eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Crowds that once numbered in the hundreds turned into nightly sellouts of 12,414 at Viejas Arena, a streak that lasted for several years.
Fisher brought instant credibility to San Diego State following a successful run as head coach at the University of Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to a college basketball championship after replacing his mentor, Bill Frieder, on the eve of the 1999 NCAA Tournament.
Almost immediately, the community responded to Higgins' Twitter call to show appreciation of the legendary coach using the hashtag #ThanksCoachFisher.
#thanksCoachFisher what you have done for @AztecHoops and @SDSU in general cannot be measured in W's n L's. Enjoy retirement
— Glenn Turgeon (@Coacht77) April 10, 2017
#ThanksCoachFisher for turning this program around and making it a true program. Thanks again Coach Fish
— Tyler Perches (@tperches4) April 10, 2017
For winning 386 games as the Aztecs head coach.
For giving us Kawhi.
For helping transform an entire university.#ThanksCoachFisher https://t.co/pm2ByZg9rw
— XTRA 1360 (@XTRA1360) April 10, 2017
#ThanksCoachFisher for giving San Diego a source of sports happiness.
— Steven P. McLaughlin (@stevenp69) April 10, 2017
#ThanksCoachFisher #GoAztecs pic.twitter.com/ILCMaCknTH
— Mike Clark (@MikeClark36) April 10, 2017
Happy retirement to an absolute legend Thanks for everything, Coach Fisher! #ThanksCoachFisher #Aztecs pic.twitter.com/4H4MioTRxx
— Sarah Jansky (@SarahJansky) April 10, 2017
Sandy Coronilla is a KGTV digital reporter and proud San Diego State alumna #GoAztecs. Follow her @10NewsSandy
