Stanford and head basketball coach Johnny Dawkins have parted ways after eight seasons. The school announced the news on Monday that it is moving on from Dawkins and will hire a new head coach.
"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," Dawkins said. "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."
Stanford did not do all that well under Dawkins in the Pac-12, going just 66-78 in his tenure, and it likely played factor in the decision. Dawkins has had plenty of experience in the basketball world, playing at Duke from 1982 to 1986, and was a top-10 pick in the 1986 NBA draft. Dawkins joined Mike Krzyzewski's staff at Duke after his playing career in 1998, before eventually moving on to Stanford.
The Mercury News reports that the school might look at hiring Jarron Collins as the next head coach for the team. Collins is currently an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. Dawkins was not as successful as the school hoped during his time with the school, as the Cardinal made it to just one NCAA tournament under Dawkins.
"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," athletic director Bernard Muir said.
Muir said that there would be no timetable for the school hiring a new head coach. Muir was considered to be a "staunch" supporter of Dawkins, who was hired by former athletic director Bob Bowlsby.
Dawkins led the Cardinal to a 15-15 season this year after winning the NIT in 2015. Stanford made it into the Sweet 16 in 2014, and the team won NIT titles in 2012 and last year. Dawkins went 156-115 in eight seasons with the team, but the school felt it was time to move on.
