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Craig Neal fired by New Mexico

New Mexico v Arizona

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 20: Head coach Craig Neal of the New Mexico Lobos reacts during the first half of the college basketball game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 20, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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New Mexico has parted ways with head coach Craig Neal.

After replacing Steve Alford in 2013, Neal went 76-52 in four season with the Lobos, posting a 42-30 record in Mountain West play.

“The University of New Mexico is grateful for the service and dedication that Coach Neal gave to Lobo Basketball,” said Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs. “He led us to a Mountain West Tournament championship as head coach and his guidance and leadership of student-athletes off the court should be highlighted. Lobo basketball set records for GPA, graduating players, and Coach Neal ran a program that the community can be proud of. He’s a good man and a winning coach, but the time has come to move Lobo Basketball in a new direction. We will begin a search for a new coach immediately and look forward to building on the winning tradition of Lobo Basketball.”

Neal was initially given a vote of confidence by the school, but after four players with eligibility remaining asked for a release to transfer out of the program, the school reversed course.