LSU women’s basketball assistant coach Carla Berry announced her resignation Friday through an lsusports.net news release. Berry said she will leave the coaching profession and pursue a private business opportunity. The announcement comes more than a month after former LSU women’s basketball coach Pokey Chatman announced her resignation amid allegations of inappropriate conduct with a former player. The University later confirmed Berry reported the alleged inappropriate conduct. Berry stayed on staff while acting head coach Bob Starkey led the Lady Tigers to the Final Four. “I have enjoyed my years at LSU as a player and a coach, and I have memories I will cherish for a lifetime,” Berry said in the statement. “I will always be a great fan of LSU Lady Tiger basketball.” Berry was present Wednesday at new Lady Tigers’ coach Van Chancellor’s press conference. During the press conference, Chancellor named Starkey as a key reason he chose to accept the head coaching position and said he would talk with all members of the coaching staff about their desired future with LSU. According to the statement, Berry made her decision before Chancellor’s hiring. “It was something she decided well before I accepted this position, and I appreciate her candor regarding her intentions,” Chancellor said in the statement. Senior Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent said Berry did not tell him she was leaving until Friday. “Carla made her decision,” Vincent said Saturday. “She decided to go into private business. It was her decision.” Berry was an LSU women’s basketball player from 1988 to 1992 and was Chatman’s teammate on the 1991 Southeastern Conference Tournament championship team. Vincent said he does not know who will replace Berry. “Coach Chancellor will make that decision,” Vincent said. “He will decide when and who he will want to hire.”
—–Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected]