Louisiana Tech athletic director says baseball coach Wade Simoneax's contract won't be renewed

RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland says Bulldog baseball coach Wade Simoneaux has been fired after 12 seasons.

The decision, announced Monday, comes after Louisiana Tech finished 15-35, including 5-25 in Conference USA in what was the Bulldogs' maiden season in the league.

McClelland says a national search for Simoneaux's replacement starts immediately, but he's not giving a timetable for a hiring.

Although Louisiana Tech has had three straight losing seasons, McClelland says Simoneaux deserves the university's gratitude for his "tireless" efforts to build the program and improve facilities.

Simoneaux's overall record at Louisiana Tech was 297-370-1. That included four winning seasons and six conference tournaments. But the Bulldogs have fallen short of a postseason appearance the past two seasons.