Todd resigns as Bandits coach

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, April 11, 2000 | 9:37 a.m.

The next time Rolland Todd attends a Las Vegas Silver Bandits game, he won't be sitting on the bench as head coach of the team.

He'll be somewhere in the stands fulfilling his duties as general manager.

Since the inaugural International Basketball League season started in November, Todd has been doing both.

But on Monday, he resigned from the head coaching job citing health-related reasons including high blood pressure.

Tonight when the Silver Bandits host the New Mexico Slam at the Thomas & Mack Center at 7, Las Vegas assistant coach Barry Hecker will fill the role of interim head coach and continue as such for the remainder of the season.

"I was advised to do something to relieve the stress level I had from doing both jobs," Todd, 65, said. "The doctor was concerned and thought I should do something quickly.

"Basically, I wanted to give the team a chance to make an adjustment because yes, we have seven games left, but we could also have as many as 11 playoff games and that's a lot of games. The assistant coaches have been there all year so it won't be any different."

Todd, named the IBL's coach of the month for January, led the team to a 33-24 record entering tonight's game and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.

Because the season could last about a month longer depending on how the team does in the playoffs, Todd's doctor advised him that now would be a good time to step down.

"I enjoyed coaching the team," Todd said. "There wasn't anything off there."

Todd said he is looking forward to devoting more time to his role as general manager and having a few more evenings to spend with his family.

"I definitely will be involved now and in the future," he said. "I probably will be at some games, but it's not quite the same as coaching in the games."