Drake University director of athletics Sandy Hatfield Clubb announced today that men’s basketball coach Mark Phelps has been released from his duties after five seasons as head coach.

"Mark Phelps is a man of great integrity and honor," Hatfield Clubb said. "His high standards and values have been an asset to our student-athletes and the program. However, after a comprehensive evaluation of the program, we have made the decision not to retain Mark as head basketball coach for a sixth season at Drake University."

The Bulldogs finished the 2012-13 season with a 15-17 overall record and a 7-11 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play. During his five seasons on the Drake bench, Phelps led the Bulldogs to a 77-86 record and a 37-53 record in conference games.

Phelps was named head coach on April 21, 2008, and guided the Bulldogs to a 17-16 record in his first campaign. In 2011-12, he led the squad to an 18-16 record and a tie for third place in the MVC. That season also saw the program earn its first postseason win in more than 35 years with a victory over Rice in the Collegeinsider.com Postseason Tournament. His teams compiled a 14-19 record in 2009-10 and 13-18 in 2010-11, respectively.

"A decision like this is never easy," Hatfield Clubb said. "However, we believe a change in leadership is necessary to create a sustained level of competitive excellence. Drake Basketball is important to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters, and we will continue to invest significantly in the program and have high standards for its success."

Phelps came to Drake following 14 years as an assistant and associate head coach at Arizona State and North Carolina State.

Hatfield Clubb announced that a national search for a new men’s basketball coach will begin immediately.