Matt Doherty won’t be coaching in the Big East again.
SMU fired Doherty on Tuesday, less than a week after the Mustangs were trounced in the Conference USA tournament. CBSSports.com first reported the news. They ended the season 13-19 overall, his fifth losing season in his six-year tenure.
Doherty had led SMU to a 20-15 record last season, the school’s first winning record since 2002-03. But that team featured four seniors. This season wasn’t as kind. He was 80-109 overall at SMU.
“I appreciate Matt’s efforts and service here at SMU,” Athletic director Steve Orsini said. “He always represented the university with class and I never doubted his effort or desire to win, but it was time for a change. We wish him the best.”
That was Doherty’s fourth coaching stop, which included one season at Notre Dame, three at his alama mater North Carolina – where he went from national coach of the year to fired after just 3 seasons, though he did recruit the players who won the national title in 2005 – and one at Florida Atlantic in 2005-06.
SMU moves to the Big East starting next summer, where it’ll now spend more rebuilding basketball seasons.
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