Cincinnati is firing males’s basketball coach John Brannen lower than per week after putting him on paid administrative depart amid a college evaluation of this system, the varsity introduced Friday. The college first introduced its evaluation of allegations involving this system late final month.

“This afternoon, we knowledgeable Males’s Basketball Head Coach John Brannen that he has been relieved of his duties efficient instantly,” an announcement from UC Athletic Director John Cunningham stated. “Tim Morris will function interim Head Coach whereas we conduct a complete nationwide seek for a brand new chief of our males’s basketball program.

“The choice to maneuver in a brand new path comes after an intensive evaluation of our program, which included conversations with student-athletes, coaches and employees, in addition to with Coach Brannen. In the end, the College is performing in the very best curiosity of our student-athletes and of the establishment, and this determination is reflective of our dedication to each, in addition to to our values that we maintain expensive. As that is as a personnel matter, we’re unable to supply additional particulars of this system evaluation or the choice.

“We are going to work shortly however judiciously to find a brand new head coach. With a passionate fan base, sturdy custom and historical past, elite services, and a collective dedication to success, we’re assured that we are going to have a deep pool of candidates. We are going to proceed to have interaction with and help our student-athletes throughout this transition.”

Brannen simply accomplished his second season with the Bearcats, and although he led the crew to an look within the AAC Event title sport, Cincinnati misplaced 91-54 to Houston within the sport to cap an in any other case lackluster season by this system’s requirements. The Bearcats completed 12-11 and misplaced 5 straight video games between mid-December and early January. Additionally they handled COVID-19 points that saved the crew from taking part in for almost a month.

Brannen launched an announcement and believes the choice to fireplace him got here earlier than the investigation started.

In response to allegations reported by The Athletic, a rift had developed between Brannen and a few of his gamers. Brannen confronted the unenviable activity of changing Mick Cronin, who left for UCLA after the 2018-19 season. Cronin led Cincinnati to 9 straight NCAA Event appearances to cap his 13-year run with this system. 

Brannen, 47, got here to Cincinnati after main Northern Kentucky to a few straight 20-win seasons and a pair of NCAA Tournaments throughout a four-year run as helped this system discover its footing within the Division I ranks.