Wyoming AD says poor play led to coach firing

Updated: February 8, 2011, 4:31 PM ET

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Wyoming athletic director Tom Burman says he decided to fire men's basketball coach Heath Schroyer now because it became clear that a change was necessary.

Burman said Tuesday that with the Cowboys just 1-8 in the Mountain West Conference so far, he was concerned about the negativity surrounding the program.

"I just felt like rather than walk around on eggshells for the next month, if this thing was going to happen we might as well deal with it right now," he said.

He noted that Schroyer had asked for a midseason evaluation of the program before the season began.

Schroyer was fired Monday, two days after the Cowboys lost their seventh consecutive game and 15th of the season. He had a cumulative record of 49-68.

Schroyer, who was hired by Burman in 2007, was not available for comment and did not wish to add any comment beyond what he said in a news release Monday through the university, UW athletics spokesman Tim Harkins said.

In the release, Schroyer said he was disappointed in the decision but that he enjoyed his time as UW head coach.

Associate head coach Fred Langley is serving as interim head coach for the rest of the season.

The Cowboys (8-15) play at New Mexico on Wednesday night.

Burman said the players he's talked to were handling the decision well.

"The kids, they understand the business, they want to see us turn this program around; the current status isn't good enough for them either," he said.

Wyoming will hire a search firm to help find a new coach, Burman said. No timetable for finding a new coach has been set.

Burman said the search will look at Division I coaches, assistant head coaches of successful programs and former coaches.

He said UW would be "aggressive in the market" in terms of pay for the next coach.

He did not provide specifics other than saying the university couldn't afford a $1 million annual salary.

"We just need to find a way to be more competitive in the salary for the head coach, and we have a plan to address that," Burman said.

Schroyer had an annual base salary of $160,000. His contract ran through the 2013-14 season.

UW will pay Schroyer $160,000 per year for the remaining three years.

Burman said the money will come from reserves the university has built up in its athletic accounts.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Wyoming coach Schroyer fired after shaky start

Updated: February 8, 2011, 2:20 AM ET

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Wyoming fired basketball coach Heath Schroyer on Monday, two days after the Cowboys lost their seventh consecutive game and 15th of the season.

The Cowboys are 8-15 this season, including 1-8 in the Mountain West Conference.

Schroyer, who took over the UW program in 2007 after previous coach Steve McClain was also fired, compiled a 49-68 record over the three and a half seasons he was coach. His best season was 2008-09, when the team went 19-14 and earned a spot in the College Basketball Invitational tournament, in which it lost at home to Northeastern in the first game.

UW athletic director Tom Burman said associate head coach Fred Langley will serve as interim head coach for the rest of the season.

A national search for a head coach would begin immediately, Burman said.

"Although I am obviously disappointed in the University's decision to terminate my contract, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as head coach at the University of Wyoming," Schroyer said in a release.

He thanked the players, the university and the university community for their support.

"I love our team, and I believe they have a bright future on and off the court," he said.

The news release said Schroyer would have no further comment.

Burman said he regrets the firing but feels it is in the program's best interest.

"While winning is key to a successful program, we cannot lose sight of the off-the-court progress this program has made under Heath's guidance," Burman said in the release.

The team has improved its academic standing after having been penalized scholarships for poor academic performance under McClain.

"Coach Schroyer recruited numerous young men who have represented UW with class on and off the court - I for one applaud him for those efforts," Burman said.

The university said Burman would have no further comment until a news conference Tuesday.

Schroyer's current contract would have expired at the conclusion of the 2013-14 season. Under the terms of that contract, UW will pay him $160,000 per year for the remaining three years.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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