Alabama has parted ways with former basketball coach Avery Johnson, the University announced Sunday morning.
“After meeting with Coach Johnson, we made the decision to mutually part ways,” Athletics Director Greg Byrne said in a press release. “This was not an easy decision, and we thank him for his contributions over the past four seasons. We wish Coach Johnson and his family the very best.”
Johnson is out after posting a 75-62 record over four years with the Crimson Tide.
Although Alabama qualified for the NCAA tournament last year for the first time since 2012, this season was viewed as a disappointment since the Crimson Tide finished 18-16 and lost in the first round of the NIT.
Reports first surfaced about Alabama and Johnson negotiating a buyout at the end of last week, days after the Crimson Tide lost to Norfolk State at home in the first round of the NIT. After the game, Johnson asserted that he wanted to return as Alabama’s coach, but apparently Alabama was ready to go in a different direction.
Associate head coach John Pelphrey will serve as interim head coach until a replacement is named.
The search to find the next head coach will begin immediately.