Ernie Kent, the winningest coach in Oregon history, was dismissed Tuesday after 13 seasons with his alma mater.
"You may find a better basketball coach, but I don't think you'll find anybody that has the passion and love that I have for this university," said Kent, who had to pause for several moments to fight back his emotions.
Oregon went 16-16 overall and 7-11 in the Pac-10 this past season, finishing with a 90-74 quarterfinal loss to California in the conference tournament.
Kent, 55, leaves Oregon with a 235-173 overall record. But the Ducks have slipped in the past two seasons, going 24-39 and finishing 10th and ninth, respectively, in conference play.
Attendance has also dipped from an average of 7,922 in 2008-09 to 7,122 this past season.
Kent was the longest tenured Pac-10 coach. He took Oregon to the NCAA tournament five times, advancing twice to the round of eight.
He played at Oregon from 1973-77, part of the so-called Kamakazi Kids under coach Dick Harter.
Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti said Oregon terminated Kent's contract effective June 30. He cited his record and declining attendance at MacArthur Court.
Oregon's next coach will usher in a new era with a new $227 million arena that is scheduled to open for the start of the 2010-11 Pac-10 season.
More men's basketball
Duquesne suspends Clark: Duquesne University forward Bill Clark has been suspended indefinitely for what the school said was conduct unacceptable to the team.
Duquesne coach Ron Everhart declined to elaborate on the suspension. Clark is Duquesne's second-leading scorer and rebounder with averages of 14.1 points and six rebounds.
Illinois State player charged: Illinois State has suspended a member of its men's basketball team after he was charged in an alleged sexual assault.
The McLean County Clerk's office says 22-year-old Bobby Hill was charged Tuesday with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Hill faces a March 26 arraignment.
Police say they arrested Hill on Monday after an incident at his apartment involving a teenage girl younger than 16.
Women's basketball
WNIT bids: East Carolina, Wake Forest, N.C. A&T, Charlotte and Gardner-Webb all accepted bids to the Women's National Invitation Tournament on Monday night.
In Thursday's first round, Wake Forest (18-13) will host N.C. A&T (21-10) at 7 p.m. and Gardner-Webb (26-4) heads to Charlotte (17-13) at 7 p.m. as well.
East Carolina (22-10) travels to Philadelphia to face Drexel (17-13) at 7 p.m. Friday in its first round matchup.
From college news releases
Mangina resigns as Seton Hall coach: Phyllis Mangina has resigned as Seton Hall's women's basketball coach after 25 seasons.
Mangina posted a 352-368 record at her alma mater, leading it to NCAA tournament berths in 1994 and '95 and three trips to the WNIT.
Furman coach resigns: Furman coach Sam Dixon has resigned following a 7-23 season. He had coached the Southern Conference school for eight years.
The school announced his resignation Tuesday and has not set a timetable for a replacement.
The Associated Press
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P.J. Hairston, the North Carolina freshman guard who has averaged 6.6 points per game, will sit out the Tar Heels’ game against Virginia on Saturday because of a sore left foot, according to a statement UNC released on Friday. 
Several Tampa area news outlets are reporting that former UNC football coach Butch Davis could soon join the Tampa Bays Buccaneers staff. 
Rameses, UNC's 18th ram mascot, died Thursday night of natural causes. He was eight years old. 
N.C. State's 61-52 ACC victory against Georgia Tech on Thursday was built on the memories of what happened the last time the two teams played. 
For 39 minutes Wednesday night, almost everything broke Tyler Zeller's way. But at game's end, Zeller had the most miserable single minute of his athletic career. 
As Austin Rivers comes down from his adrenaline rush of Wednesday night, the person who may have the best idea of how Rivers' one shot will affect his Duke legacy is Jeff Capel. 
Austin Rivers' final shot in Duke's remarkable 85-84 comeback victory over UNC on Wednesday night was supposed to be a two-pointer. Not a three. That was the plan. 
While he watched the final moments between Duke and North Carolina unfold in front of him Wednesday night, North Carolina coach Roy Williams crouched in front of the bench. Keep up with the latest sports stories with our free e-mail newsletters, delivered to your inbox!
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