Heath Schroyer was fired as the head coach of the Cowboy basketball team yesterday, just hours after performing his weekly press conference.

A dismal 8-15 start to the 2010-11 season–including a 1-8 mark in the conference–spelled the end of his tenure at the University of Wyoming.

UW athletics director Tom Burman announced on Monday afternoon that Schroyer’s contract had been terminated, effective immediately. The announcement was made only two days after the Cowboys’ 59-56 loss to rival Colorado State, Wyoming’s seventh consecutive loss in conference play.

 “I regret having to make this decision to terminate Heath’s contract at this time, but I feel it is in the best interest of our program,” said Burman in a Wyoming Athletics press release.  “We are grateful for the time Heath has been our coach. He inherited a difficult situation, and his actions here exemplify his character and support for his players and UW.”

 Associate head coach Fred Langley will serve as the Cowboys’ interim head coach for the remainder of the season. 

 Junior center Adam Waddell said that the players were not informed until Monday afternoon. 

 Wyoming suffered non-conference losses to several teams, including Northern Colorado, North Florida, South Dakota, UC Irvine and Green Bay. The Cowboys have also not won a single road game since March 2009. Since taking over as head coach for the 2007-08 season, Schroyer had a record of 49-68, including a conference mark of 16-41.

During Schroyer's tenure, Wyoming basketball turned the corner in academics. Schroyer saw significant improvement in his program’s APR (Academic Progress Rate), and his insistence on his players’ academic achievement played a large factor in that improvement. 

The Cowboys were able to muster just one postseason campaign under Schroyer–a one-and-done appearance in the 2009 College Basketball Invitational in which the Cowboys were eliminated 64-62 by Northeastern University of the Colonial Athletic Association.

“Although I am obviously disappointed in the university’s decision to terminate my contract, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as head coach at the University of Wyoming,” Schroyer said in a Wyoming Athletics press release.  

“I am grateful to President Buchanan, Tom Burman and the entire university community for their support of our basketball program.  I also want to thank the great student-athletes that I have had the privilege of coaching here at Wyoming.  I love our team, and I believe they have a bright future on and off the court.”

Burman noted that a search for a successor to Schroyer has already begun. 

“Wyoming Basketball has a long, successful tradition,” said Burman.  “We have great facilities and a fan base that, through the years, has been extremely supportive.  I’m confident with all those positive factors in place, we will be able to attract outstanding candidates to lead Cowboy Basketball in the future.”

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