Rob Krimmel will no longer serve as the college basketball coach at Saint Francis University. He announced his decision to retire on Thursday just nine days after his team played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
This sudden retirement comes as a result of an unfortunate reality regarding the future of college sports.
Krimmel played point guard at St. Francis from 1996-200. As soon as his career ended, he joined the program as an assistant from 2000-2012. He was finally promoted to head coach in 2012 and led his alma mater to historic heights.
The Red Flash made the CIT in three of his first six seasons and the NIT in his seventh. While that may not sound like a big deal, it is. Saint Francis University enrolls less than 2,000 students in the small town of Loretto, Pennsylvania. When I say that it is nowheresville, USA, I mean it.
Loretto is located about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh in the sticks, not far from Altoona. Student body aside, its total population is less than the university’s full enrollment. There ain’t much to it.
For Krimmel to lead the Red Flash to a winning season is a big deal. To make the NIT is an even bigger deal. To make the NCAA Tournament is almost unimaginable.
And yet, it is! St. Francis won the Northeast Conference to earn an automatic qualifying bid less than 30 days ago. The Red Flash played in the First Four of March Madness on March 17.
So why is Krimmel stepping down at the young age of 47?
The university announced that it was moving down from Division-I to Division-III on Tuesday. Student-athletes who are already on campus found out about the impending demotion through an email.
Rob Krimmel decided to leave his alma mater after 28 years just two days later. Just like that.
Coach Krimmel has announced his retirement. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Saint Francis Basketball since 1996 👏❤️#BELIEVE🔴⚡️🏀 pic.twitter.com/6neDS7lqAd
— Saint Francis Men’s Basketball (@RedFlashMBB) March 27, 2025
One of his former players trashed the university for how it handled the move from D-I to D-II. He claims that the administration failed its constituents.
As a proud Saint Francis alum and former men’s basketball player, I’m heartbroken and disappointed in the decision by President Malachi and the Board to walk away from Division I athletics. It’s not just a step back—it’s a rejection of everything so many of us have worked for […]
When myself and other alums present a NIL collective, and the school admin make 0 effort to adapt and accept changes, this news is not surprising. Also when the school is dominated by student athletes, how do they think this transition will lead to more money/opportunities.
— Scott Meredith
Although he has yet to formally state a reason for leaving, it seems as though Krimmel would agree.
The head basketball coach at Saint Francis led the Red Flash to its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid less than 20 days prior to his resignation. That is something I have never seen before. What a shame.