George Mason University Director of Athletics Brad Edwards announced today that men’s basketball coach Paul Hewitt will not return to coach the 2015-16 season.

“Mason made a significant commitment to its athletic programs, especially men’s basketball, when the university moved to the Atlantic 10 Conference two years ago,” said Edwards. “The university has high expectations for the program and thus determined a change was needed.

“Paul has always been a tremendous advocate for the sport of college basketball and we are extremely appreciative for the manner in which he has represented the university and for his service to the student-athletes and to the program.”

Hewitt’s overall record as head coach at Mason was 66-67.

Hewitt recently completed his fourth season as the Patriots men’s basketball coach, the second in the nationally recognized Atlantic 10 conference. The Patriots finished this season with a 4-14 conference mark, 9-22 overall, and lost the opening round game against Fordham in the Atlantic 10 Championship for the second straight year. The team finished with an 11-20 overall mark and 4-12 league mark in their inaugural season, 2013-14.

In the Colonial Athletic Association, Hewitt guided the Patriots in his first season to 24 wins followed by a 22 win season in the 2012-13 year finishing third and fifth in the conference. Mason exited in the semifinal games at the CAA Championship both seasons.