January 18, 2002, JAMAICA, N.Y. - St. Johns University announced today that head womens basketball coach Darcel Estep and assistant Joyce Jenkins have been relieved of their duties, effective immediately.

Pechone (pronounced Pa-SHAWN) Stepps, in his second year as an assistant coach at St. Johns, will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. First-year assistant Brooke Renkens will assist Stepps with day-to-day operations of the program and remain on the staff. Former St. Johns mens basketball player Bernard Rencher (1978-80), currently serving as Coordinator of Student-Athlete Academic Support, will join the staff and Associate Vice President for Athletics Kathy Meehan will also assist with the program.

Estep was appointed the programs fifth head coach on June 21, 1999. During her time at the University, the Red Storm compiled a 22-50 record. Estep took over the reins at St. Johns after spending three seasons as head coach at Morgan State from 1996-99. Prior to her appointment at Morgan State, Estep served as an assistant coach at Villanova University from 1990-96.

Jenkins, in her third year at St. Johns, joined the program after serving as the head coach at Maryland-Eastern Shore from 1994-99.

A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.