DES MOINES, Iowa -- Larry Eustachy says he is an alcoholic and has sought treatment, but he will not resign as basketball coach at Iowa State.

Eustachy spoke at a news conference Wednesday after photographs were published of him partying with college students in Missouri. The photographs, in The Des Moines Register on Monday, show him partying with the students and kissing young women on the cheek.

		The heat has been on Larry Eustachy at Iowa State. Talk about making bad decisions -- for a head coach to go to a co-ed party on the visiting team's campus after his team just lost ... that decision was certainly bad judgment. But it seems to me that Eustachy has started to take steps to handle this situation. He has admitted that he was out of control. Getting the kind of help that's needed is the best thing he could do. I believe he deserves a second chance. He has decided to look in the mirror and attacked it like a man. He has decided it is time to solve the dilemma. Still, there could be a big problem with credibility in the world of recruiting. Can you see what will happen? There's so much negativity discussed behind the scenes. There's no doubt that some people will send articles to his prospective recruits. More...

"It's not my way, and I won't (resign),'' he said. "I believe in second chances, I do, but time will tell.''

He said he is confident he could regain his credibility.

"It's the only way I know how,'' Eustachy said Thursday on ESPN Radio. ``You preach that and you teach that. I just believe that I'm the best person for this situation. Until I'm told that I'm not, I'm going to fight for it."

Eustachy, who was suspended with pay, has until Monday to appeal Van De Velde's recommendation.

"There's a lot of people that were let down,'' Eustachy said. "I'd like to make them proud again. Most particular, there's a bunch of players that were counting on me and are counting on me and would like to see us put it all together.

"I know my wife and my family, my parents and everybody would really like to have me show everybody what can happen as a sober person. So I'm sitting here with my hat in my hands and as sincere as I can be."

Asked if his firing was warranted, Eustachy replied, "I'm not sure if I'm the one to judge that. I can only tell you how I feel and what I'd like to have happen."

He apologized to his family and his players.

"It hasn't been easy for them in the last few days,'' he said. "Words can't express enough the remorse I have, that I've brought upon everybody.''

The 47-year-old coach said he realized he was an alcoholic nearly a month ago.

"For the rest of my life I will seek counseling for this illness,'' he said. "I have no excuses for my behavior. ... We'll see what happens in the future, but I am looking forward to the future as a sober person.''

Iowa State officials said they considered disciplinary action against Eustachy, who is under contract through the 2010-11 season and is paid more than $1 million a year, but nothing has been decided.

Eustachy's behavior was a hot topic on radio talk shows, both local and national. The Register said in an editorial that Eustachy "has to go.''

Iowa State's basketball players went to the university's president and athletic director Tuesday, urging them to keep Eustachy.

"I'm behind coach Eustachy 100 percent, as I know he would be for each and every one of us,'' forward Jackson Vroman said.

Vroman said the players told university president Gregory Geoffroy and ISU Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde that they supported Eustachy and wanted him to be their coach.

"Bruce Van De Velde told us he would do what is best for the university and the basketball program,'' said Vroman, who will be a senior next season. "We want them to do what's best for the basketball team and that's to keep coach Eustachy.''

Vroman and center Jared Homan, who will be a junior, said they would seriously consider leaving if Eustachy were not the coach.

"Basically, he's treated me like a son,'' said Homan, who was charged with public intoxication last month. "He always looked out for me and has been there when I needed him. I feel this time I need to be there for him.''

Vroman said he thought the photos made Eustachy "look bad,'' but added, "I don't think it portrayed him as who he is at all.''

Eustachy is holding a can of beer in the photos. The pictures were taken at a Jan. 22 apartment party in Columbia, Mo., just hours after Iowa State lost to Missouri. In some photos, Eustachy is kissing young women on the cheek or is being kissed on the cheek.

Eustachy's wife, Stacy said at Wednesday's news conference that her husband has learned to treat his condition. They have two children.

"I'm totally behind him 100 percent, I'm totally behind this man,'' she said. "He's a human being like everybody in here. He makes mistakes like you all do and like I have. He stepped up to the plate and made himself accountable, and that's a great example to our kids.''