Taylor out as ODU head men's basketball coach

Feb 5, 2013 - 9:25 PM Norfolk, VA (Sports Network) - Old Dominion University announced on Tuesday that head men's basketball coach Blaine Taylor was fired.

The move was made with the Monarchs languishing in the basement of the Colonial Athletic Association with a 2-20 overall record and an 0-10 in- conference mark -- including an 85-74 loss to George Mason on Monday.

"As the athletic director at Old Dominion University, my primary responsibility is to our student athletes, and our intercollegiate athletic programs. As such, I am always going to try to base any decisions on those two guiding principles. After a comprehensive review of the men's basketball program, and with the support of President John Broderick, I am relieving Blaine Taylor of his duties as Old Dominion University's head men's basketball coach, effective immediately," said athletic director Dr. Wood Selig.

"Effective today, I have appointed Associate Head Coach Jim Corrigan as the interim head coach through the remainder of the season. Jim has been with the program 18 years, and I have great confidence in Jim's ability to guide the team the rest of the year. We are not giving up on our student athletes or the program. Today's announcement is about addressing the present and the future needs of our men's basketball program. We want to make the most of our remaining eight games and put our student athletes in position for success. I want to thank Blaine and his family for everything they have contributed to Old Dominion University over the past 11 years."

Taylor departs having led ODU to eight straight postseason appearances from 2005-12, including four NCAA Tournament bids and a CIT championship in 2009. He racked up a 239-144 record overall since arriving in southern Virginia for the 2001-02 season.

Corrigan's work begins on Thursday as Old Dominion travels to Philadelphia to take on conference rival Drexel.