Grosse Pointe Woods— Wayne Gigante felt Grosse Pointe University Liggett's girls' basketball team had an outstanding chance of winning the Class C state championship this year.
Now, Liggett will have to do it without him.
Gigante resigned as head coach Tuesday because of what he termed "extreme parental interference."
Liggett finished 25-2 last season, losing to St. Ignace, 65-54, in the state title game. The team returned the majority of its players, including Michigan-bound point guard Madison Ristovski; her younger sister, Haleigh, who also has been offered Division 1 scholarships; and sophomore Bre'nae Andrews. The Ristovski's sister, Lola, a freshman, also is a key contributor on the team.
"That team is so capable of winning the state championship and it's killing me to step down since I've helped build something special the last 21/2 years," Gigante said. "I've been coaching basketball for 10 years and never had a problem with a player. We know what we want to do. We know what the kids are capable of doing. I had a good feel for this team, but I can't do it anymore.
"There can only be one voice, and that has to be the coach. You can't have kids looking up in the stands for instructions. It's too much of a disruption. Dad needs to be up in the stands supporting his kids, not coaching them. This had been building up a bit and it was just time. Maybe the pressure will be off the players now. Kids are supposed to have fun."
Liggett was ranked No. 11 in The News' preseason rankings, No. 1 among Class C teams. The team got off to a 3-1 start, including a win over defending Class B state champion Dearborn Divine Child. Liggett lost to Class B semifinalist Goodrich, and defeated Class A power Detroit Cass Tech and MSU-bound Brandi Agee on Dec. 30 in Gigante's final game as head coach.
That left him with a 51-6 career record.
Liggett's next game is at home Tuesday night against Detroit Country Day.
Liggett athletic director Michelle Hicks wouldn't go into detail about Gigante's decision to resign, saying: "Wayne resigned due to personal reasons. He just felt it was best to resign the position. Joe LaMagno, who was an assistant, will be the interim head coach the rest of the season."
Ashley Alles, the head junior-varsity coach, will be LaMagno's assistant coach.
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