Retirement time for both Randy and Laura Rahe

Randy and Laura Rahe took a recent vacation to Hilton Head, South Carolina for a quick vacation in between coach Rahe's returning to the recruiting trail.

It was on that trip that the two of them came together to make a life-altering decision. It was time for coach Rahe to retire after nearly 41 years coaching college basketball, including the last 16 years as the head coach of the Weber State men's basketball program.

"I started thinking about getting ready for the summer programs and I just didn't feel the same way or have the same passion or excitement," Randy said as he and Laura met with the media following the retirement announcement. "I've told myself forever, that if I lose any of that, I will know it's time to go. I felt I was ready to be done."

So Rahe retired Monday as the Big Sky's all-time leader in coaching wins with 316. He coached over 500 games at Weber State and led the Wildcats to five Big Sky titles and three trips to the NCAA Tournament. He also coached 40 all-conference players and six Big Sky MVP's, including NBA superstar Damian Lillard.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to be the head basketball coach at Weber State for 16 years," Randy added. "It's a responsibility I took very seriously. When I took over 16 years ago, I wanted to run a program the way I felt was the right way with character and integrity. We brought in great kids, graduated great kids and followed the rules. We worked really hard at that. Nothing fancy, just tried to do it the right way and build a strong culture. I feel good walking away knowing that we did just that."

On the court Rahe finished his career at 198-85 in Big Sky Conference games, the most games coached and most victories in conference history.

He coached college basketball for more than 35 years with stops as an assistant coach at Colorado College, Colorado, Denver, Colorado State, Utah State, and Utah, prior to coming to Weber State.

He led Weber State to Big Sky titles in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2016, and appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2007, 2014, and 2016. He had winning seasons in 14 of the 16 seasons and his Wildcat teams won 20 or more games nine times and advanced to national postseason play nine times. He guided the Wildcats to 25 wins in 2011-12, 26 wins in 2015-16, and a school-record 30 wins in the 2012-13 season.

The Wildcats finished in the top three in the Big Sky standings in 13 of Rahe's 16 seasons at Weber State. WSU also won at least 10 Big Sky games in 14 of his 16 seasons.

But the decision to retire involved more than just coach Rahe on the basketball court.

"This is not just about me today, this is also about Laura," coach Rahe said. "People probably don't know, but she has dedicated 16 years of her life to Weber State University, teaching classes and supervising student teachers, plus she's been a Division I referee for 30 years. And she's retiring as well."

For Laura, the decision means leaving two jobs that have meant so much to her, while also looking ahead to new adventures.

"I have loved my jobs and truly felt my purpose when I was in the classroom and working with student teachers," she said. "It has been the greatest love of my life. And I've also loved officiating. What a challenge and fun job it has been.

"Basketball brought us together. I used to coach until we got married. Officiating has really fit me and fit both of us. We've been able to have an understanding of each others passion and drive. I'm a little sad to let those jobs go but the tradeoff is we have a bright, wide-open future and we'll keep expanding, instead of expiring. We have overworked much of our adult life and it's time for us to start having fun together. We just can't wait."

"There is no way I would have gotten through this without her support," Randy said. "This is about us. I've been consumed by this job 24/7, 365 days a year and I know I've neglected Laura and the kids a little too much. Now it's our time to spend time together. It's been a great run and we are both excited and very much at peace with our decision and looking forward to having some fun."

Weber State named Rahe's longtime assistant coach Eric Duft as the new head coach of the Wildcats. Duft becomes the 10th head coach in Weber State's Division I history.

Weber State University Athletics

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