Leaving For Missouri is How Lorenzo Romar Should Repay UW For '16-17 Season

© James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Back in late 2012, during the Steve Sarkisian era as the head football coach at Washington, it was almost a guarantee to see a tall man, covered shoulder to toe in Husky attire with the sun glistening off his shining head and the personality to match.

During my first six months covering UW athletics, even during the football season, it seemed head men's basketball coach Lorenzo Romar was always around, shaking hands and providing a warmth that resonated throughout any room he entered.

But after a 2-16 record in Pac-12 conference play this season, the handshake that felt of a man passionate and driven to return the program to the NCAA tournament, a drought now spanning six seasons, it's time for Romar to do the honorable thing:

Leave.

Former players of Romar, like point guard Ryan Appleby who started 49 games his final two years at UW from 2006-08, have even drawn weary of just how stagnant the program has become.

"Well, after this year we can't do anything but get better," Appleby told Rivals over the weekend, noting the program has effectively hit rock bottom.

The former UW guard who transferred from Florida following the 2003-04 season followed up his comment with a growing trend under the 15-year head coach.

Appleby believes "if" the Huskies retained DeJounte Murray and Marquese Chriss, both one-and-done players following the 2015-16 season, had returned this season to pair with point guard Markelle Fultz, this would have been the season to end the tournament drought.

Yet for all the talent that Romar, along with assistant coaches Raphael Chillious and Will Conroy, have brought into the Alaska Airlines Arena in recent years the product doesn't result in team success. That can no longer be tolerated when the Huskies' women's basketball team, with far less tradition and the same facilities to work with, are one of the nations top programs.

To make matters worse for Romar the Huskies football program has resurged quickly under Chris Petersen, who took over for a renowned recruiter in Sarkisian following the 2013 season.

Continuing to recruit one-and-done recruits, like incoming forward Michael Porter Jr., the No.1 overall recruit in the country and son of UW asst. coach Michael Porter Sr., won't change the now cemented culture of mediocrity.

"Our type of recruiting has almost hurt the program," Appleby said. "[But] we wouldn't have the big recruits without him. So it's more of a decision based on, if you keep Romar you will have a certain style of play and a lot of one and done guys.

"Or, you go get a coach like the football program did, and we play with more strategy than athleticism or big name players."

On Sunday, Missouri men's basketball head coach Kim Anderson was forced to resign, leaving the door open a Romar departure and allowing the Porter's to return to their home state, while letting the program at Washington breath fresh air and form a consistent winning culture.

Fans and media alike have witnessed anything but that culture on the court this season, while administrators sort out the potential financial impact of a coaching change. UW would be on the hook for a $3.2 million buyout if athletic director Jennifer Cohen chooses to fire the long-time coach.

Romar signed a 10-year contract extension in 2010, at the time intended to make the coach effectively a Husky for life. Whether fired or leaving for the Missouri head coaching vacancy, Porter Sr. is expected to follow Romar to his next stop along with his son and other recruits who signed as a part of the 2017 recruiting class.

There have been no legitimate indications of interest on the part of the Tigers when it comes to Romar, but is name was the first to come up whenever the discussion arises. It would be a win-win for both programs, UW doesn't take financial hit of the buyout, and he gets to leave on his own accord.

For all the recent lackluster seasons the men's basketball program has churned out, with the 2016-17 season now the worst in the programs history having just two conference victories, Romar put the program on the map and has earned the right to resign.

Take the parachute Lorenzo, it's the best for all parties involved.