The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team heard the rumors, but the truth was still hard to accept.

Several of the Rainbow Warriors expressed disappointment and sorrow after their head coach, Riley Wallace, announced yesterday that he is resigning after this season.

"I heard about it before this, we all did," junior guard Matt Gibson said. "But you never know until it comes out of his mouth, and even when it did, I was surprised."

Wallace has been saying for several months that he may not be ready to retire, but a clause in his contract is, in essence, forcing him out after this season.

Gibson attended yesterday's press conference, and said he was not pleased with the handling of the situation.

"The only person I can speak for is me, and I'm not happy with the way they're treating Coach," he said. "He deserves better. He's earned it. I'm just sad to see him go like this."

Junior guard Bobby Nash has more at stake than the rest of his teammates. His father, Bob Nash, is Hawai'i's associate coach and a potential candidate to replace Wallace.

But like the rest of the coaching staff, Bob Nash's position will be in limbo if he is not picked as Wallace's successor.

"Whenever a family member has a chance to lose a job, it's a tough thing to think about," Bobby Nash said. "But I know everybody on the team is backing Coach Nash, and that means a lot to me."

Gibson said: "If it's not Coach Wallace, it has to be Coach Nash. He's been at every level. He knows how to win, and he knows how to get the best out of us."

There is also the issue of potential transfers among the players during the coaching change. Eleven players on the current roster are eligible to return for the 2007-08 season.

"The season is not over, so I'm just worried about this season right now," sophomore guard Dominic Waters said. "After this season is over, a lot of things will be running through my mind because I don't know what's going to happen. But regardless of what happens, I would love to see Coach Nash take over the team."

Wallace said he told the players of his status after Thursday's 66-53 victory over Tennessee-Martin.

"I met (Thursday) night with my team and said we're not playing this season for Riley Wallace," Wallace said. "We're playing this season for all of us."

According to the players, that will be something easier said than done.

"You can't help but be emotional after this," Bobby Nash said. "He's our coach, and if he can't come back to coach us, we want to send him out the best way possible."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.