Tennessee defeated Mississippi State 72-59 in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. (0:32)
Ben Howland is out as the men's basketball coach at Mississippi State, ending his seven-year stint at the school without an NCAA tournament victory.
Howland coached UCLA to three Final Fours. His only trip to the NCAA tournament in Starkville ended with an upset loss to Liberty in 2019.
Howland finishes his tenure at Mississippi State with a 134-98 overall record and a 59-67 record in the SEC. He did not finish higher than fourth in the SEC.
John Cohen, the athletic director, thanked Howland for his investment in the lives of the student-athletes. He left our program better than he found it. We owe a debt of gratitude to Coach Howland, and we have great respect for him as a coach and person.
Over the course of his career, Howland has guided Mississippi State and UCLA to NCAA tournament berths, as well as Northern Arizona and Pittsburgh.
Mississippi State entered this season with high expectations due to a flurry of high-profile transfers, which included Garrison and D.J. Jeffries. The 18-16 season ended with an NIT loss at Virginia on Wednesday night, as losses to Louisville, Minnesota and Colorado State set a course for a mediocre season.
Howland and State have dragged on interest and attendance due to their slow style of play.
Howland had one year left on his contract and is expected to be owed $833,000. It is common for Mississippi State contracts to include a deal with the Bulldog Club.
Cohen said that Mississippi State has begun searching for Howland's successor.
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