Ohio Head Coach Larry Hunter Relieved of His Duties

Contact: Heather Czeczok (740) 593-1299 or sportsmedia@ohio.edu

ATHENS, Ohio (March 15, 2001) -- Larry Hunter, Head Basketball Coach at Ohio University, has been relieved of his duties and will not return to coach the team for the 2001-02 season in an announcement made today by Ohio Director of Athletics Thomas C. Boeh.

"We are very appreciative of the many years of service that Coach Hunter dedicated to our men's basketball team and its student-athletes," Boeh stated. "However, at this time we feel it is in the best interest of the program to secure new leadership in our effort to return the team to national postseason play as well as the exceptional competitive level that is commensurate with the quality of Ohio University."

A national search to replace Coach Hunter will begin immediately.

Coach Hunter currently has one year remaining on a three-year contract and will be compensated through April 30, 2002, with a total of $135,826. This sum will be derived from an athletics department reserve fund that has been generated via athletics revenue streams.

In 12 seasons at Ohio, Hunter compiled an overall record of 204-148 (.579). His 1993-94 squad won the Mid-American Conference regular-season championship and the MAC tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. His team also won the 1994 Preseason NIT in New York City and later that season advanced to the second round of the 1995 Postseason NIT. However, his team's record during the past five years is 95-78 (.545) overall and 61-47 (.565) in the MAC. The Bobcats have not qualified for the NCAA or NIT postseason tournaments since the 1994-95 season.