Duke women's basketball head coach steps down after 13 seasons

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Duke women's basketball coach Joanne P. McCallie announced she would step down from her head coaching position, effective immediately, after 13 seasons at the university.

McCallie was entering the final year of her contract and no agreement had been reached.

"As a coach in the final year of my contract, uncertainty is natural and it takes away from confidence and fun," McCallie said in a video tweet.

She told ABC11's Bridget Condon on Thursday that the last day has been "difficult" and "very emotional."

McCallie had led the Blue Devils to a 330-107 record and earned Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year three times during her tenure at the university. Under her leadership, the Duke women's team earned four consecutive league regular-season first-place finishes in 2010 through 2013, and three ACC championships in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Prior to taking the job at Duke, McCallie served as the head coach at the University of Maine and Michigan State University. Her 28-year head coaching career included 646 victories and eight conference championships. In fact, McCallie was the first NCAA Division I coach to win conference championships in four different leagues.

Duke player Mikayla Boykin said she "wasn't too shocked," knowing her coach well. She said McCallie had recruited her since she was i the sixth grade.

"I know that Coach P has a lot of good intentions for everything she does, and I know her doing this is something that she thought would better everyone around her in a sense in her own unique way," Boykin said.

Former player Faith Suggs said she learned a lot from McCallie.

"For me, she's taught me a lot of how to be a strong woman, a strong leader, an independent woman," Suggs said. "How to handle your own stuff, how to go after things you dream for. She means a lot to me and those four years I learned so much on how to be a strong woman."