Drexler To Retire, Coach Alma Mater

Clyde Drexler, who starred on Houston's Final Four teams of the 1980s, will retire from the NBA at the end of the season to coach his alma mater, sources told The Associated Press Tuesday night.

The Houston Rockets' guard will receive a four-year contract worth $1.2 million. Also, Reid Gettys, David Rose and George Walker will become assistant coaches. All are former Houston players.

Drexler's mother Eunice Drexler, watched her son play the first half of the Rockets game against Milwaukee.

She declined to confirm the move but said: "I'm going to miss him out here but I'm going to support his decision."

Asked if she'd support her son at Hofheinz Pavilion (Cougars home court) she said: "You bet I will."

Cougars spokeswoman Donna Turner said as of Tuesday evening a news conference had not been scheduled, but "When we are ready to announce something we will shout it out. We are not ready yet."

Former Houston coach Guy V. Lewis, who led the Cougars during their glory years, declined to confirm he will act as a consultant to his former players.

"I don't know what a consultant does, but I'll do anything I can to help the program," Lewis said. "I'll tell you one thing, I'm not going to be the coach."

Before the Rockets game against the Bucks, Drexler walked past reporters, smiled, and said: "The Milwaukee Bucks. It's gonna be a good game."

Last week, Drexler spoke about the Cougars job.

"I've heard the rumors," Drexler told the Houston Chronicle. "My first job is with the Houston Rockets, and until that's over, it's really hard to comment on anything else. Right now, I'm a player for the Houston Rockets. The only thing I can really think about is playing."

Drexler, who has indicated he will retire when his contract is up at the end of the season, said he'd be interested in helping the Cougars' program.

"I'm a Cougar," Drexler said. "I bleed Cougar red. I love the Cougars. I'm going to try to do anything possible to help them with the program. I've always done that. I'm looking forward to being a part of it in the future."

Drexler played three seasons for the Cougars during the Phi Slama Jama era along with Rockets teammate Hakeem Olajuwon. Drexler played on the Cougars' Final Four teams of 1982 and 1983.

Prior to the game, Charles Barkley said he backed whatever Drexler decided.

"If that's what he wants to do, I wish him the best," Barkley said. "He has a chance to go back and help out his alma mater. Obviously, they haven't been winning too much lately."

Forward Matt Bullard wondered if Drexler would be prepared for the grind of college coaching.

"I don't think the X's and O's will be a problem, but the recruiting will be the hard part," Bullrd said.

The Cougars fired Alvin Brooks at the end of last season.

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