Illinois Fires Women’s Basketball Coach

Jolette Law has been released as the University of Illinois' Women's Basketball Coach.

Law finished with a record of 69-93 in five seasons, including 11-19 in the just completed 2011-2012 campaign. The season ended Thursday with a 68-53 loss to Michigan in the first found of the Big Ten Tournament.

Law's Big Ten Record in five seasons was 27-59, with a highest conference finish of 8th place in 2009.

"Really, we need to be at a point where we're competing at a high level - the same expectations I have for the other 18 sports," U of I Athletic Director Mike Thomas said in an afternoon press conference. "And at the end of the day from a competitive standpoint, I just didn't feel that we were trending that way. Not having a history of winning in recent times or at a high level certainly affects other things with the program."

Thomas says the decision was difficult based on the fact that she's a 'terrific person, and tremendous role model for her students.'

He says a national search will begin for Law's replacement. She had two years remaining on her contract, and will receive a $620,000 buyout over that time.

Thomas says the criteria for a replacement won't necessarily mean someone who's held the same job elsewhere.

"I don't think I want to go into a situation and paint myself into a corner," he said. "I think certainly having head coaching experience is attractive in a lot of ways, but I certainly wouldn't restrict it to those who are head coaches only."

"I would like to thank (former athletic director) Ron Guenther and the Illini Family for the opportunity to represent the people of the state of Illinois as their Head Women's Basketball Coach," Law said in a statement released today. "I have found great joy in coaching, teaching, and guiding a group of remarkable young women. We have laid a good foundation for great things to happen in the near future. I wish nothing but the best for Mr. Thomas, the program, the University, and of course my student-athletes."

In her first season, she guided the Illini to a 20-15 record, including an historic run in the 2008 Big Ten Tournament, winning three games and advancing to the championship game before losing to Purdue on a buzzer-beater. After earning at WNIT bid, Law led the Illini to the third round in the tournament. But none of her teams had a winning record in the Big Ten and none made it to the NCAA tournament.

In 2011, the Illini fell back to 9-23 overall, finishing last in the Big Ten with a 2-14 mark.

Law came to Illinois from Rutgers, where she was an assistant under C. Vivian Stringer for 12 years. That included a trip to the 2007 NCAA title game.

Illinois hasn't made the NCAA tournament since 2003 and hasn't been ranked since 2000.