March 1, 2006

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Wednesday, March 1, 2006) - Officials at Southeast Missouri State University announced today that the contract of head Men's Basketball Coach Gary Garner will not be extended. Garner is in the final year of a five-year contract. The announcement comes just four days after the Redhawks finished their season with a record of 7-20 (4-16 in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and in 10th place in the OVC. Garner's contract runs through June 30.

Garner has just completed his ninth year at Southeast Missouri State.

"I'm obviously disappointed with the University's decision, but I understand it was made in the best interest of the University," Garner said. "I continue to feel very good about the players coming back next year. I think Southeast will be at the top of the OVC over the next couple of years.

"I've really had the pleasure of working with some great kids over the years," he continued. "We have terrific fans at Southeast and this is just a great university. I firmly believe that."

University Athletic Director Don Kaverman said, the decision was made after the customary review of the performance of the basketball program under Coach Garner's leadership.

"We believe it is in the best interest of the University and its intercollegiate athletics program to make a change in that leadership at this time," he said. "We are grateful to Coach Garner for his service to the University and the athletics program over the past nine years. Coach Garner has had a long and distinguished career, including an undefeated Division II national championship team. He's a man of integrity and a team player, and he can take great pride in what he has been able to accomplish as a coach. He has been a good influence on the lives of many young people over the years, and I just want to thank him for what he's been able to provide to our student athletes at Southeast."

Kaverman said he is assembling a search committee immediately in the hopes of hiring a new basketball coach as soon as possible. Kaverman said he will chair the committee that will comprise community and campus representatives. The national search and all hiring processes will follow the usual human resources procedures at Southeast.

Garner was named the 1998-1999 Ohio Valley Conference Co-Coach of the Year, the 1982 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year and the 1996 National Coach of the Year. Garner was 373-297 in 23 years as a collegiate coach and was 126-132 in nine seasons at Southeast.

Under Garner, the 1999-2000 Southeast team claimed the Ohio Valley Conference regular season co-championship, won the OVC post-season tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Along the way, Southeast ended Murray State's nation leading 47-game home win streak and took Louisiana State to the wire in the first round of the NCAA tournament before losing 67-64. Garner picked up coaching win number 300 during the season as Southeast finished 24-7. Southeast was 14-4 in the OVC. The 24 wins were the most for Southeast at the Division I level and followed the 1998-1999 season record of 20-9.

In Garner's first year at Southeast, he guided Southeast to a record of 14-13.

Garner came to Southeast after coaching stints at Fort Hays State, Tulsa, Drake, University of Missouri, Missouri Southern, Trenton Junior College and Kemper Military Academy.