Coach Gunter is stepping down. She had hoped to coach for another couple years, but the persistent health problems would have made it impossible for her to keep up with the demanding schedule.

"This is one of those things that, at some point in time, was bound to happen," said Gunter. "Unfortunately, I guess, the good Lord decided we were going to do it two years early."

But finishing with a trip to the Final Four in a sold-out New Orleans Arean wasn't a bad way to go out. "I can't think of a better way to go out, as far as what this team did this year, the things they accomplished and a staff that just doesn't get any better. I'm happy in a lot of ways."

Pokey will take over.