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Duquesne’s Keith Dambrot, LeBron James’ high school coach, announces retirement ahead of BYU matchup

Keith Dambrot will retire, but plans to coach against BYU on Thursday.

(Keith Srakocic | AP) Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot calls out directions to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh, Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 76-64.

(Keith Srakocic | AP) Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot calls out directions to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh, Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 76-64.

By https://author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/sltrib/356433dc-dc21-4c2e-a47c-b841b9252a1c.jpeg Kevin Reynolds
 | March 18, 2024, 11:37 a.m.
| Updated: March 19, 2024, 1:36 a.m.

Long Beach State coach Dan Monson won’t be the only lame-duck coach in the NCAA Tournament this week.

Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot retired on Monday, joining the ranks of coaches who will not return regardless of how the tournament goes.

He will coach Thursday’s tournament game against BYU.

The Cougars are headed to play Duquesne in Omaha, Neb., for the first round. Tipoff will be 10:40 a.m. MT on truTV.

Dambrot has been in Pittsburgh for seven seasons. This is his first tournament appearance with the Dukes. Before Duquesne, he was the longtime head coach at Akron.

Dambrot became well known for coaching LeBron James in high school. James congratulated his old coach when Duquesne earned the 11-seed to play BYU.

How to watch BYU vs. Duquesne

Tipoff: Thursday, 10:44 a.m.

Location: Omaha

TV: TruTV

Mark Pope on the Duquesne Dukes

BYU coach Mark Pope showed his respect for the Dukes when the bracket was announced Sunday.

“They’re the A-10 champs and that’s no easy feat,” Pope said. “This is a great team. Elite level defensive team — cause all kinds of mayhem. Really explosive explosive backcourt scoring and guarding. It’s a great team. They’re e in the middle of a special season and it’s going to be a great battle.”

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