Coach Joplin: Fired

Head coach Stan Joplin was fired yesterday following the first losing season in five years for the University of Toledo men’s basketball team.

University athletic officials confirmed the 12th-year coach at UT is out. UT athletic department officials would not comment but announced a news conference regarding the men’s basketball program for this morning at Savage Hall.

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The Rockets had an 11-19 record this year and finished fourth in the Mid-American Conference West Division with a 7-8 league record. Their season ended Thursday with a loss in the MAC tournament quarterfinals to Kent State.

Mr. Joplin, 50, had a 203-155 record at UT. He is one of just six MAC coaches to reach the 200-win mark.

He coached the Rockets to nine winning seasons, with three topping 20 wins.

The firing was unexpected considering that in 2006-07, Mr. Joplin led the Rockets to their first MAC regular-season title in 27 years. UT set a school record with 14 conference wins and after losing in the MAC tournament semifinals, was selected to play in the National Invitation Tournament.