Horn fired at South Carolina

Mar 13, 2012 - 6:00 PM Columbia, SC (Sports Network) - South Carolina has fired men's head basketball coach Darrin Horn.

The Gamecocks were the worst team in the SEC this season with a mark of 10-21 overall and just 2-14 in the conference. South Carolina was 60-63 in Horn's four seasons, including 23-41 in the SEC.

"This was a very difficult decision," said South Carolina athletic director Eric Hyman. "Darrin has done a good job in areas in which we place great value. Under his leadership our academics have improved immensely, he has run a program of integrity and his student-athletes have represented the university and department appropriately. However, we could not overlook other factors that led to this decision. In the world of college athletics, wins and losses and being competitive in the SEC had to be considered. Recruiting, player development and diminishing fan support also was considered when making a decision like this."

Horn took over for the 2008-09 season after the retirement of Dave Odom and guided South Carolina to a record of 21-10 with a share of the SEC East title. He received a contract extension through the 2014-15 season during the 2009-10 campaign, but the Gamecocks have struggled to losing marks in each of the past three seasons.

The State newspaper reported that the 39-year-old Horn will receive a $2.4 million buyout on the remaining three years of his deal.

"First and foremost, I'd like to thank Eric Hyman, Dr. Pastides and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity I've had as the head men's basketball coach at South Carolina for the past four years," said Horn. "I appreciate the Gamecock Nation for its support of the program. My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Columbia and wish nothing but the best for the Gamecocks."

Horn spent five years at his alma mater, Western Kentucky, before joining South Carolina. The Hilltoppers won at least 20 games in each of Horn's final four years and finished with a record of 111-48 in his five seasons -- adding a pair of NIT berths and an NCAA Sweet 16 run in 2008.