Norfolk, VA (Sports Network) - Old Dominion University announced on
Tuesday that head men's basketball coach Blaine Taylor was fired.
The move was made with the Monarchs languishing in the basement of the
Colonial Athletic Association with a 2-20 overall record and an 0-10 in-
conference mark -- including an 85-74 loss to George Mason on Monday.
"As the athletic director at Old Dominion University, my primary
responsibility is to our student athletes, and our intercollegiate athletic
programs. As such, I am always going to try to base any decisions on those two
guiding principles. After a comprehensive review of the men's basketball
program, and with the support of President John Broderick, I am relieving
Blaine Taylor of his duties as Old Dominion University's head men's basketball
coach, effective immediately," said athletic director Dr. Wood Selig.
"Effective today, I have appointed Associate Head Coach Jim Corrigan as the
interim head coach through the remainder of the season. Jim has been with the
program 18 years, and I have great confidence in Jim's ability to guide the
team the rest of the year. We are not giving up on our student athletes or the
program. Today's announcement is about addressing the present and the future
needs of our men's basketball program. We want to make the most of our
remaining eight games and put our student athletes in position for success. I
want to thank Blaine and his family for everything they have contributed to
Old Dominion University over the past 11 years."
Taylor departs having led ODU to eight straight postseason appearances from
2005-12, including four NCAA Tournament bids and a CIT championship in 2009.
He racked up a 239-144 record overall since arriving in southern Virginia for
the 2001-02 season.
Corrigan's work begins on Thursday as Old Dominion travels to Philadelphia to
take on conference rival Drexel.
The Sports Network