By Kyle Charters
Asst. Sports Editor

After two years of service on the Purdue basketball staff, assistant coach Jim Thrash resigned on Tuesday.

"I'm resigning my position in order to pursue other opportunities, which have recently been presented to me," Thrash said in a press release on Tuesday. "Whichever one I accept will allow me to watch my son, Mark, play basketball in his last two seasons at Biola University in Los Angeles."

In the two years that Thrash was on the Purdue sideline, the Boilers compiled a 45-23 record. During that time, the Boilermakers also made two runs deep into the NCAA tournament. Last year, Purdue advanced to the Sweet 16 before losing to Temple. This season, the Boilers made it to the Elite Eight before succumbing to Wisconsin.

"I will always be grateful to Coach (Gene) Keady and Purdue University for allowing me to be part of the Boilermaker basketball family these past two seasons," said Thrash.

Thrash said one of the biggest things he will miss about Purdue is the family atmosphere.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this special group of young men, the coaches and the entire staff within the Purdue Athletic Department," he said.

Thrash's departure leaves an opening on the Purdue coaching staff. The most likely replacement is former Boiler star Cuonzo Martin, who played at Purdue from 1992-95 and is the school's career leader in 3-point percentage (.451).

"I promised Cuonzo a year ago that if he earns his degree, then he'd get an assistant coach's position," said Keady. "I'm going to keep my promise, and it looks as though Cuonzo will graduate in August."

Before this semester, Martin needed only 16 more credit hours to earn his degree in restaurant, hotel, institutional and tourism management. Besides attending classes this year, Martin also served as an assistant coach and head junior varsity coach at West Lafayette High School.

Although that's Martin's only coaching experience, he does have plenty of playing experience. Along with his four years at Purdue, Martin has played for the NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks. He also played for the Grand Rapids Hoops in the CBA, where he was an All-Star in the 1996-97 season.