KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The University of Tennessee is now looking for its third basketball coach in just four years.
Tennessee terminated their agreement with head men’s basketball coach Donnie Tyndall.
“It is disappointing that we have to take this action,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart. “It is highly likely that Coach Tyndall will face significant penalties at the conclusion of the NCAA’s infractions process. We believe that this decision is in the best interests of the University of Tennessee.”
The news follows an investigation into Tyndall’s time at Southern Miss. The university told WATE’s sports director that it is not their policy to comment on on-going NCAA inquiries.
Donnie Tyndall was the coach at Southern Miss the past two seasons, but left to take over at Tennessee. Southern Miss acknowledged in November that the NCAA was investigating potential violations in the program.
Full statement from the University of Tennessee:
The University of Tennessee announced today that it has terminated its employment agreement with head men’s basketball coach Donnie Tyndall for cause. The decision was made based on information the university received during the NCAA’s investigation of another institution.
The university concluded that Tyndall is highly likely to be found responsible for serious (e.g., Level I and/or Level II) violations of NCAA rules that occurred during his tenure as head men’s basketball coach at another institution.
“It is disappointing that we have to take this action,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart. “It is highly likely that Coach Tyndall will face significant penalties at the conclusion of the NCAA’s infractions process. We believe that this decision is in the best interests of the University of Tennessee.”