ETSU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Richard Sander announced Tuesday that women’s basketball head coach Karen Kemp has decided to retire.

Kemp, who has spent the last 19 seasons as the head coach of the Lady Bucs, will end her tenure with a program-best 272 career wins. Her team’s also enjoyed four straight trips to postseason play from 2007 to 2010, including three straight visits to the NCAA Tournament from 2008 to 2010.

“On behalf of our program and the institution, we want to thank Coach Kemp for her efforts over these last 19 years,” Sander said. “During her tenure, our teams have enjoyed championship seasons, but now we’re excited about what the future can be for this program. We will begin the process of finding a new head coach immediately.”

Kemp said she was grateful to those that had faith in her nearly two decades ago.

“I would like to thank Dr. (Roy) Nicks and Dr. (Janice) Shelton for giving me this opportunity 19 years ago, and allowing me to lead this program,” said Kemp, who was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year in 2008. “I feel like ETSU has been good to me, but it’s time for me to step aside and let someone else lead this program to the heights I know they can reach.”