The University of Alabama and men’s basketball coach Avery Johnson have parted ways after four seasons.
Johnson, who previously played and coached in the NBA, went 75-62 and made one NCAA Tournament appearance at Alabama. Last Wednesday, he oversaw Crimson Tide’s loss in the first round of the NIT to Norfolk State.
On Sunday, the two sides announced the decision in a joint news release. ESPN previously reported that they were negotiating a buyout of Johnson’s contract, which ran through 2023 and was set to pay him roughly $3 million per year.
NASA’s scraps first all-female spacewalk because there aren’t spacesuits that fit
“After meeting with Coach Johnson, we made the decision to mutually part ways,” said Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne in the 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.”
Assistant coach John Pelphrey will serve as the interim coach. According to the release, the search for the next head coach will begin immediately.
