Alabama has fired coach Anthony Grant, the school announced Sunday.
Grant, 48, was with the Crimson Tide for six seasons, winning at least 20 games three times and making an NCAA tournament appearance in 2012. He also led Alabama to three NIT appearances (reaching the championship game in 2011), including this year's event, where they will play Illinois on Tuesday.
John Brannen, the team's associate head coach who has spent nine seasons on Grant's staff, was named the school's interim coach for the rest of the season.
After getting off to a 12-3 start this season, Alabama struggled over the final two months of the season, finishing 18-14 overall and tied for eighth in the SEC.
"In this business we are ultimately judged by wins and losses on the court and, for a variety of reasons, we haven't made satisfactory progress in that area," Alabama athletic director Bill Battle said in a statement. "We have a great university, and an excellent athletics program that has expectations for all of our teams to meet the highest standards in competition, in the classroom and in the community.
"Today's decision is part of a larger evaluation of every facet of our basketball program that is intended to improve every aspect of our basketball program. A key component in that effort is to get all of our fans pulling in the same direction, and to make Coleman Coliseum the best home court advantage in the SEC."
Grant came to Tuscaloosa from VCU, where he went 76-25 and made two NCAA tournament appearances. The Rams knocked off Duke in the first round in 2007.
He was an assistant coach under Billy Donovan at Florida for 10 seasons, after spending time at Marshall and Stetson.
He signed a contract extension in 2012 to keep him at Alabama until 2019. Grant was making $1.9 million annually through 2019 with a buyout of some $4 million, which would be reduced if he lands another job.
Grant finished with a 117-85 record in six seasons at the school.
Battle said he would not comment further on the decision to fire Grant or the search for a replacement.
Former Alabama guard Andrew Steele praised Grant's impact on his life in a tweet Sunday.
Hate to hear the news about Coach Grant. He's the best coach I've ever played for and a big reason I'm the man I am today
— Andrew Steele (@D_Steele22) March 15, 2015The Associated Press contributed to this report.