Van Chancellor Not Returning To LSU

The Sports Mole has learned that LSU women's basketball coach Van Chancellor will not return for the 2011-2012 season.  The Lady Tigers (18-13, 9-8 SEC) did not advance the NCAA tournament for the first time in a dozen years.

Chancellor came to LSU heralded as a successful WNBA coach and as a women's coach at Ole Miss.

The school has announced an afternoon news conference Wednesday to discuss the future of the women's basketball program.

Chancellor met yesterday afternoon with athletic director Joe Alleva and Chancellor Mike Martin.

Chancellor was steadfast on refusing an invitation to the Women's NIT tournament when it was announced his team would not receive a bid to the NCAAs.  Many experts thought that this team would garner at least a 4 seed in the NCAAs going into the season and compete for an SEC Western division crown; however, Chancellor had a disconnect with his players and there were periods of disunity among his players.  It is also believed that there were problems on Chancellor's staff as well.