The East Tennessee State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced Friday that men’s basketball head coach Murry Bartow will not be returning to the Buccaneers’ sideline for the 2015-16 season.

"We want to thank Coach Bartow for his 12 years of service to ETSU, and for the successes he achieved while leading our program," said ETSU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Richard Sander. "However, when evaluating the current state of our program we have decided that it is time for a new direction and a change in our head coaching position."

Sander said the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

"We have a proud tradition in men’s basketball at ETSU, and we want to give our student-athletes every opportunity to continue to build on those past championships and postseason trips," Sander said. "I want to assure the ETSU community, our players, our students, our alumni and our fans that it is our goal to find the right head coach for our program. Our expectation is to compete for championships every year."

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