O’Brien loses coaching job

oanie O'Brien's 11-year stint as coach of the women's basketball team ended this week with the announcement that her contract won't be renewed.

     "We appreciate Coach O'Brien's contributions to our program during her years at the University," athletic director Bob Marcum said in a prepared statement released Tuesday. "At the same time, we believe that it is time for the program to go in a new direction, and we will begin a national search for a new head coach immediately."

     O'Brien arrived on campus after the women's basketball program bottomed out with an 0-27 season in 1990-91.

     Over 11 seasons, O'Brien compiled a 159-159 record, culminating with a 12-18 season this year. The team reached the Women's National Invitational Tournament in 1995 and captured an at-large NCAA Tournament berth in 1996, losing in the first round. In 1998, the Minute-women won the Atlantic 10 championship tourney and returned to the NCAAs but lost in the opening round.