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Coach Rompola says athlete entitlement a factor in her retirement

STORRS, Conn. -- SMU women's basketball coach Rhonda Rompola has said her decision to retire at age 55 is driven by a desire to spend more time with her husband.

But she acknowledges there is more to it than that.

Speaking with The Associated Press before Wednesday's 88-41 loss to top-ranked UConn, Rompola said the changing attitudes of student-athletes was another factor in her announcement this week that she will leave the school after 35 years there as a player and coach.

"Kids are not as coachable as they were years ago," she said. "I see kids sometimes talking back to their coaches, and it's like a way of life.