A fixture in Arizona State Athletics is moving on as Sun Devil women’s basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne is retiring after 25 years with the program.
The winningest coach in ASU basketball history with 488 career victories, announced her retirement on Thursday.
“It’s just time,” Turner Thorne told media on Thursday.
“I’m excited to use this new chapter to help people and hopefully serve out community here at an even grander scale and maybe have a few off days in between.”
Second to only Stanford’s Tara VanDerveer in wins among Pac-12 coaches, Turner Thorne led the Sun Devils to 20 postseason appearances in 22 seasons (not including the COVID-shortened 2020 season).
The Sun Devils reached the NCAA tournament 14 times under Turner Thorne, including a run of six straight appearances from 2014-19 and reached the Elite Eight twice in her tenure in Tempe. The Sun Devils reached the 20-win mark 16 times in that time.
She also won the Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2016.
Since taking over in the 1996-97 season, seven players have reached the WNBA under Turner Thorne’s watch, including Briann January and Sophie Brunner.
The Sun Devils finished the 2021-22 season with a 12-14 record and a first round loss to Oregon State in the Pac-12 tournament.
Turner Thorne made it clear that while she is retiring from coaching, she is not looking to kick her feet up. She is looking forward to exploring opportunities in broadcasting and consulting after some time away from the game.
Jordan Hamm
