Miami, FL – Isiah Thomas has been fired as men's basketball coach at Florida International University.
Thomas spent three seasons in charge of the FIU program, guiding the Golden Panthers to a record of 26-65. This year's team finished 8-21.
"We want to thank Isiah Thomas for his three years here at FIU," said athletic director Pete Garcia in a brief statement. "However, we have decided to take the program in a different direction."
Thomas was named FIU coach on April 15, 2009 amid much fanfare. He donated his first year's salary back to the university.
The Panthers were just 7-25 in his first season and improved to 11-19 in his second year.
Thomas was a star at the University of Indiana and with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA during a 13-year Hall of Fame playing career. He led the Pistons to a pair of NBA titles as a player, spent three seasons as head coach of the Indiana Pacers and two more as coach of the New York Knicks, while also working in the front offices of the Toronto Raptors and Knicks.
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