Creighton's Greg McDermott announces retirement after 16 seasons; Alan Huss will succeed him

OMAHA, Neb. — After leading the Creighton basketball program to unprecedented heights over his 16 years as coach, Greg McDermott announced he would retire at the end of the season and turn the program over to right-hand man Alan Huss. McDermott will step down after the Bluejays’ final game in the College Basketball Crown tournament.

“It has been an incredible honor to lead the Creighton men’s basketball program for the past 16 years,” the 61-year-old McDermott said in a statement. “I’m very proud of the young men that have proudly worn the Bluejay uniform and represented our program in a first-class manner. Witnessing their growth and development on and off the playing floor was especially gratifying.

“I’m deeply grateful for the support of my family, our players, coaching staff and support staff, as well as the presidents, athletic directors, and all the University and athletic administrators. The support of the Omaha community consistently packing our arena with 17,000 fans has created many fond memories. ” McDermott is 365-188 at Creighton and 514-319 in 25 years as a Division I head coach.

Only one of his Creighton teams finished below . 500, but the Bluejays are 15-17 heading into their April 2 game against Rutgers in the Crown in Las Vegas. McDermott had losing records each of his four seasons at Iowa State before Creighton hired him in 2010 after Dana Altman, then the school’s all-time wins leader, left for Oregon.