Head Coach Announces Retirement After Heartbreaking NCAA Tournament Loss
03/27/2025 04:17 PM
It turns out the First Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament marked the final appearance of Rob Krimmel's coaching career.
During the opening game of this year's tournament, Alabama State defeated Saint Francis on a game-winning layup. It was a thrilling way to kick off March Madness, but it also marked the end of an era for the Red Flash.
On Thursday afternoon, Saint Francis announced that Krimmel is retiring from coaching. He was with the program from 2000-2025, winning 171 games during that stretch.
"Saint Francis will always hold a special place in my heart," Krimmel said in a press release. "I am grateful for all of the people who have supported and impacted my journey as a student-athlete, a coach, a husband, a father, and a person. I will cherish the relationships that were built on and off the court as a result of my time in Loretto. Being the head coach of my alma mater was a tremendous honor.
"Thank you to all of the student-athletes, families, coaches, support staff, administrators, alumni, friends, and fans who devoted their time, energy, and passion into the program and BELIEVED in what we were doing. I could not have poured my heart into Saint Francis without the support of my wife, my kids, and my family. I am grateful for their unwavering support and willingness to make sacrifices so I could help develop the young men entrusted to my care."
Krimmel went out with a bang this season, leading Saint Francis to its first Northeast Conference Tournament title. Of course, an NCAA Tournament appearance isn't too shabby either.
The timing of Krimmel's retirement probably isn't a coincident. Two days ago, Saint Francis announced that it was moving its athletics programs to Division III starting in 2026.
Although his retirement came out of nowhere, Krimmel truly went out on top at Saint Francis.
Related: Saint Francis Cheerleader Grabbing Everyone's Attention During NCAA Tournament
