BOULDER, Colo. – Colorado basketball coach Joe Harrington, in the middle of his sixth season with the Buffaloes, resigned Tuesday night before a game against Southern Utah.

Harrington is a former Morse of Bath schoolboy basketball standout. He was an All-Maine first-teamer in 1962 and ’63.

Harrington made the announcement to a group of about 100 alumni boosters shortly before the game. Colorado began the day with a 5-8 record.

Harrington, 50, said it was better to leave now so someone else could take over the foundering Buffaloes.

Going into Tuesday night’s game, Harrington had a 72-84 record with Colorado and a 251-219 career record.

Prior to taking over the program in 1990, Harrington had been head coach at Long Beach State, George Mason, Hofstra and Maryland.