Coach Charles Pattillo, head coach of the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets men�s basketball team, is retiring from coaching effective immediately. He informed the university of his decision today.

A 1965 graduate of the University, this was Pattillo�s 16th year as the Yellow Jackets head coach. He leaves with a career record of 173-186. During the mid 90s, his teams won three straight Conference Championships earning them appearances in the NAIA National Tournament every year. In the 2005-2006 season, the Jackets went 20-7, won the ASC West Division Championship and hosted an ASC Conference tournament for the first time in school history. Last year Howard Payne upset ASC East No. 1 seed Mississippi College in the first round of the ASC tournament.

HPU President Lanny Hall said, �Coach Pattillo has had a distinguished career in coaching and is leaving an indelible imprint on the men�s basketball program at Howard Payne. A graduate and former Howard Payne player, Coach Pattillo loves his alma mater and has given much back to the institution by providing excellent leadership and direction to the men�s basketball program for 16 years.�

Howard Payne is 0-4 pending tonight�s game at the University of Ozarks. The University expects to name an interim head coach soon.