JSU Decides Not to Renew Mike LaPlante's Contract
3/3/2008 3:29:46 PM | Men's Basketball
JACKSONVILLE -- Jacksonville State head men's basketball coach Mike LaPlante's contract will not be renewed, ending the coach's eight-year tenure with the school, athletic director Jim Fuller announced on Monday.
LaPlante finished his eight year reign as head coach with a 95-137 career record and was 57-93 in conference games, but was just 22-84 in road games during his tenure.
“Our men's team is just not where it needs to be to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference,” Fuller said after meeting with LaPlante earlier in the day. “We need to move forward in our men's basketball program and we will begin a national search immediately to find the best fit for our program.”
LaPlante was hired in 2000 as the ninth head coach and the third since joining the Division I ranks, replacing Mark Turgeon.
The Gamecocks lost 20 or more games in three of the last four years and has failed to make the post-season tournament three times during the same span. Under LaPlante, JSU finished sixth or worse during the regular season in six of his eight years and posted just a 2-5 record in post-season play.
JSU did garner a 20-10 record in 2002-03, but lost in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.
Fuller expects to name a search committee later this week and the search to replace LaPlante will begin immediately.
LaPlante finished his eight year reign as head coach with a 95-137 career record and was 57-93 in conference games, but was just 22-84 in road games during his tenure.
“Our men's team is just not where it needs to be to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference,” Fuller said after meeting with LaPlante earlier in the day. “We need to move forward in our men's basketball program and we will begin a national search immediately to find the best fit for our program.”
LaPlante was hired in 2000 as the ninth head coach and the third since joining the Division I ranks, replacing Mark Turgeon.
The Gamecocks lost 20 or more games in three of the last four years and has failed to make the post-season tournament three times during the same span. Under LaPlante, JSU finished sixth or worse during the regular season in six of his eight years and posted just a 2-5 record in post-season play.
JSU did garner a 20-10 record in 2002-03, but lost in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.
Fuller expects to name a search committee later this week and the search to replace LaPlante will begin immediately.
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