Mercer Director of Athletics Jim Cole announced Monday that men’s basketball head coach Bob Hoffman has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.

Cole and Hoffman met Monday morning to discuss the status of the program. At this time Cole informed Hoffman that a change in leadership would take place.

“Coach Hoffman has made an indelible mark on the Mercer basketball program,” Cole said. “Bob always ran his program and mentored his student-athletes in a first-class manner that represented our university well.

“Personally, I don’t know of two better people than Bob and Kelly. I know I speak for all Bears in thanking them for the time and effort that they devoted to Mercer University. Bob, his staff and his student-athletes have laid a foundation that our program can build upon and ultimately, I believe, consistently compete for conference championships and national recognition.

“We will need the support of the entire Mercer family as we take our men’s basketball program in a new direction. I am confident that we will quickly identify the right leader to meet the high expectations for Bears basketball.”

A national search for the Bears’ next head coach is underway. Cole will have no further comment until a new head coach is hired.

https://mercerbears.com/news/2019/3/11/mercer-announces-mens-basketball-leadership-change.aspx