Ronnie Chalmers resigns

Originally published August 12, 2008 at 3:18 p.m., updated August 12, 2008 at 3:18 p.m.

Ronnie Chalmers just joined his son, Mario, as a former Jayhawk.

Chalmers, who served as the director of basketball operations since June 2005, will pursue other interests. The decision became official on Tuesday afternoon.

“I have mixed emotions about leaving a great university and a great community," Chalmers said. "I have enjoyed my tenure at the University of Kansas. I want to thank all the staff and fans for their loyalty and support of the Chalmers family while we were here. Our goal was to come here and win a national championship and we accomplished that."

There's no doubt the Chalmers family will be remembered, although most fans probably won't remember Ronnie. They'll think of Mario when they hear the last name. He's now playing for the Miami Heat after leading the Jayhawks to the National Championship.

If it wasn't for Mario, it's possible Chalmers would have never gotten a job with Kansas. He became part of the staff months after Mario made his decision to sign with the Jayhawks out of Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska. Chalmers had previously served as basketball coach at Bartlett for five years before coming to Kansas.

Controversy surrounded the decision back then as to whether the hiring of Chalmers was part of a package deal to get Mario, who was a McDonald's All-American out of high school.

Kansas coach Bill Self didn't specify what Chalmers planned to do, only saying that he'd start the search for a replacement immediately.

“I certainly understand why Ronnie would want to pursue other things at this stage following Mario’s departure to the NBA," Self said, "but that does not take away from his contributions to KU the past three years. He will certainly be missed."

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