Reaction to Jim Phelan's retirement

"He is a man whom I have always admired and respected, especially because he has served as a mentor to many young coaches. Coach Phelan has always taken a genuine interest in his players and never let the influence of big time college basketball change his attitudes about student-athletes. I consider him a dear friend and know he will always be a part of the game." - UMBC coach Tom Sullivan

"Not only do I respect Jim Phelan as a great teacher and coach of basketball, but I respect him even more for the type of man that he has been in the Mount St. Mary's community. It is a pure travesty that a coach of his stature has not been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame." - Towson coach Michael Hunt

"I do not have to tell you the truly unique record Jim has established at the Mount. I think it is safe to state it has never been accomplished before and will not be repeated again. This is a record, not only at the Mount, but also for the game of basketball itself." - Mount St. Mary's president George R. Houston

"I think that what Coach Phelan did, and what Lefty [Driesell] did -- when people look back on that it is just incredible. To have longevity like that is incredible. This is a tough game, it takes a lot out of you. To have the endurance and toughness to last that long says something about those two guys." - Maryland coach Gary Williams