North Texas fires Benford with no winning seasons in 5 years

By AP
Published

DENTON, Texas (AP) North Texas has fired basketball coach Tony Benford after he failed to have a winning season in his five years.

The school announced the move Sunday night, a day after the Mean Green lost 106-104 at Marshall to finish 8-22. They were 2-16 in Conference USA play and failed to qualify for the league tournament.

Athletic director Wren Baker said he spent this season evaluating the program and determined that a change in leadership was necessary.

Benford was 62-95 at North Texas, his first head coaching job after 20 years as an assistant at New Mexico, Arizona State, Nebraska and Marquette.

North Texas hired Benford after Johnny Jones left for LSU in 2012. Benford's best season was in 2013-14, when the Mean Green were 16-16.