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March 3, 1997
GEORGE MASON TERMINATES CONTRACT OF PAUL WESTHEAD
George Mason University has terminated the contract of head men's basketball coach Paul Westhead, effective immediately, it was announced today by director of athletics Tom O'Connor.
"After a qualitative and quantitative review we have decided to make a change in our men's basketball program." O'Connor said. "Our recent results are not indicative of the goals we have set for the program. We want a better experience for our student-athletes and want to be competitive annually in the Colonial Athletic Association."
Westhead compiled a 38-70 record in four seasons at George Mason, including a 10-17 mark this year. Westhead's first three teams went 10-17 in 1993-94, 7-20 in 1994-95 and 11-16 last season.
This season the Patriots started at 6-2, including a win over currently 18th ranked Colorado, but lost nine of their last 10 games and 13 of their last 16. George Mason ended its season in an 85-57 loss to Richmond in the first round of the CAA Tournament last Friday. The Patriots were 17-43 in CAA games under Westhead and 0-4 in CAA Tournament contests.
Westhead has coached at three NCAA institutions in his career, compiling a 285-223 record in 18 years. He was 142-105 in nine seasons at LaSalle (1970-79) and 105-48 in five years at Loyola Marymount (1985-90). He also compiled a 159-164 record in six seasons in the National Basketball Association and won the 1980 NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers.
O'Connor said a search for a successor will begin immediately but declined to put a timetable on the process.
"We will move in a manner which will allow us to identify the best person for the men's basketball head coaching position at George Mason University," he said.
STATEMENT FROM PAUL WESTHEAD
"I did my best to raise the level of basketball at George Mason University. Our coaching staff worked very hard at turning a down program into a winner. Unfortunately, I was not able to complete the task."
Contact: Jim Engelhardt (993-3269)
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