Marianna Freeman saw one thing standing between the Syracuse women’s basketball team and success — herself.

Freeman resigned as Syracuse head coach yesterday after 10 years at the helm. At a press conference, Freeman said she stepped down under no pressure from the Syracuse athletic department. No replacement was named.

Her resignation comes 10 days after the Orangewomen completed a disappointing 10-18 season. In 2001-02, Freeman made her only NCAA Tournament appearance and had her only winning season.

“You keep trying, for 10 years, to move a program up,” Freeman said. “Perhaps maybe it would be better if someone different came in and tried something different. I care for the program a great deal. As a team, you sacrifice self. I’m doing for my team what I’ve asked them to do for each other.”

While at Syracuse, Freeman compiled a 104-174 overall record and went 56-116 in the Big East. None of her victories came in the NCAA Tournament, in which SU was 0-1. Syracuse fared just as poorly in the Big East tournament, getting past the first round three times under Freeman. Before her first winning season, Freeman had a .347 winning percentage (76-143).

In the 10 years before Freeman arrived at SU, the Orangewomen went 140-145 under Barbara Jacobs.

“I gave my very best, and there are times in life when you’re best is not good enough,” Freeman said. “I didn’t do the business of coaching very well. Winning is how you keep your job.”

Freeman decided Sunday to leave SU after a conversation with her sister Maryetta and one-hour meeting with SU Director of Athletics Jake Crouthamel.

“She knew I wanted to meet,” Crouthamel said, “and I knew she wanted to meet with me.”

Players learned Freeman was resigning in a team meeting yesterday morning.

“It’s just sad,” SU junior point guard Julie McBride said. “I am supporting her decision. I might not agree, but I’m going to support her because I care about her, and I know the rest of the team will support her.

“We’ll miss her. But at the same time, she’s going to move on and we’re going to move on.”

Said junior Shannon Perry: “It’s going to be tough. We have to start all over again. I’m upset, but whatever is best for the team has to be done.”

With two seniors graduating from a group brimming with potential, Freeman’s departure is surprising.

Crouthamel said the search for a new coach began yesterday at 4 p.m., the time at which Freeman announced her resignation. SU has not contacted any coaches about the opening, Crouthamel said. Because recruiting season is approaching, Crouthamel said SU will hire a new coach “as soon as possible.”

‘We’re conducting a national search,” Crouthamel said. “From a support standpoint, they’re not going to find a whole lot of better situations. The opportunity to succeed is here. Because of that, I think this is an attractive job.’

The fate of current assistant coaches Darren Bennett, Pam Bowden and Jennifer Bednerak will be decided by Freeman’s replacement, Crouthamel said.

“I hope that the assistant coaches do stay, so we know some people, so it’s not brand new,” McBride said.

Players will be asked for input during the search for a new coach, Crouthamel said.

Freeman conceded perhaps her demeanor wasn’t tough enough for a coach and that she’d rather influence a young woman’s life than a basketball player’s jump shot.

“It has gotten to a point where you get tired of feeling ‘less than,’ ” Freeman said, choking back tears. “And then people begin to equate your inability to win with your character. You can be a good coach that does all the little things and not win and be a bum. I personally cannot handle that.

“I don’t want (my team) to be in a position where people are talking to them about ‘You guys don’t win.’ If me being here is going to tarnish them, then I’m going to go.”

Freeman remains uncertain about her future but said she will coach again.

“I’ll try again,” Freeman said. “I don’t know how soon.”

Wherever Freeman lands, she’ll keep an eye on the Orangewomen. After all, she stepped down with them in mind.

“We don’t have a tradition of great women’s athletics here,” Freeman said. “This team can establish that. There’s a lot of things that need to be done before it can be there. If I’m not the one, let somebody else be the one.”

Published on March 18, 2003 at 12:00 pm