"From a basketball perspective, I certainly think the program improved in my four years," Goodenbour said. "And I'm extremely proud of the players that worked hard every day to make our program better. I wanted to go forward with our staff and finish what we started. I've never been in a situation in which I didn't have the opportunity to finish what I started."
Goodenbour, whose team was 15-15 in 2010-11 after consecutive losing seasons of 9-21 and 7-23, said she is uncertain if she will continue coaching.
The last two seasons were the first double-digit win campaigns for UCI since 2002-03, when the team went 17-12.
Goodenbour had success bringing in transfers, including first-team all-conference performers Mikah Maly-Karros (from Loyola Marymount), Jade Smith-Williams (Chico State) and Kassandra McCalister (Oregon State).
Maly-Karros, who averaged 20.5 points and 11.1 rebounds in 22 games in 2009-10, missed the final eight games of the 2010-11 season for unspecified reasons. She then quit the team after her junior year.
Oregon State transfer Tayler Champion, who averaged 11.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 17 games in 2010-11, was dismissed from school for an academic transgression following that season.
The 2011-12 team was also hurt by injuries, including a season-ending knee injury to junior Jazmyn White, a former Big West Freshman of the Year; a broken foot and a thumb injury that will require surgery sustained by McCalister; as well as a wrist injury that junior guard Anete Klintsone played through the final month.
Izzi said the school would begin a nationwide search for a new coach.
"We appreciate Molly's contributions over the last four seasons, but I believe this is the right time to transition our program to new coaching leadership," Izzi said in a statement released by the school.
Izzi declined to comment further.
barry.faulkner@latimes.com
Twitter: @BarryFaulkner5
