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Stanford fires coach Johnny Dawkins after 8 seasons

The Cardinal have fired Johnny Dawkins from his position as Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men's Basketball

By Keith Shirts
Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Update: Stanford University has confirmed that Johnny Dawkins will not return as the head coach of the Stanford men's basketball team. You can read the full statement on GoStanford.com, but here is an excerpt:

""This decision was not easy and it was a very difficult discussion for both Johnny and me, but like everything else during his tenure at Stanford, he handled it with class, respect and the utmost concern for his student-athletes," said Muir. "There are so many great things that Johnny was able to accomplish on The Farm, including improving the graduation rate, achieving an Academic Progress Rate of 1000, an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and two NIT championships. The student-athletes Johnny coached during his tenure at Stanford represented the University with class and humility."

"I want to thank the Stanford community for playing such an important part in the lives of Tracy and I and in the lives of our four children," said Dawkins, who compiled a 156-115 record in eight seasons at the helm. "While I am disappointed that we could not achieve the desired high level results, I leave proud of the tremendous young men who have given their all to the program and I know the future is bright for Stanford basketball.""

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After struggling with mediocrity and failing to make the NIT this season reports are rolling in that Stanford University has parted ways with head basketball coach Johnny Dawkins. Jeff Goodman of ESPN and Jon Rothstein CBS both announced on twitter that Dawkins is out.

Dawkins' firing comes on the heels of a disappointing 15-15 season and failing to make postseason play. Dawkins-led Stanford Cardinal teams went 156-115 (.576) overall and 66-78 (.458) in Pac-12 conference play.

Under Dawkins, Stanford qualified for 5 post season tournaments in his 8 season tenure. Making one trip to the CBI in Dawkins first season, three visits to the NIT, and one trip to the NCAA tournament. The Cardinal did advance to the Sweet 16 in Dawkins lone big dance appearance. Dawkins was great in the National Invitational Tournament -- winning the NIT twice.

Stanford likely let Dawkins go due to his inability to maintain the tradition of winning basketball at Maples Pavilion. Dawkins' teams never won more than 10 Pac-12 games, never finished higher than tied for 3rd in conference (4 games back), never made a run to the finals of the Pac-12 conference tournament.

Dawkins' team finished .500 or worse 3 times in 8 seasons. Before Dawkins, Stanford had 3 .500 or worse seasons in the previous 24 years. Before Dawkins, Stanford had made the NCAA tournament 13-of-14 seasons.

Having inherited a stable, top program, Dawkins went 1-for-8 on NCAA tournament seasons. At an institution that is committed to excellence in every corner of its campus, Dawkins work, and the accompanying atrophy of fan enthusiasm, was unacceptable to Stanford University.