UMass fired coach Derek Kellogg on Friday, ending his nine-year stint at his alma mater.
Kellogg, 43, was hired by UMass in 2008 and entered this past season with a 140-119 record in eight seasons. However, after his lone NCAA tournament appearance in 2014 and a contract extension through 2019, the Minutemen have struggled the past three seasons.
"Decisions like this are always difficult but after a thorough review of our men's basketball program, I believe that a leadership change is needed to realize a higher level of competitive success expected at the University of Massachusetts," athletic director Ryan Bamford said in a statement.
Bamford, who was hired in 2015, opted to make a move after a disappointing season. Kellogg was the state's highest-paid employee in 2016 at $1.06 million.
UMass finished 15-18 overall and 4-14 in Atlantic 10 play this past season. The Minutemen were knocked out of the A-10 tournament Thursday in the second round after a loss to St. Bonaventure.
Kellogg, who played point guard for John Calipari in the early '90s, was also an assistant for Calipari at Memphis from 2000 to 2008 before being hired at UMass.
"I want to thank Derek for his unwavering commitment to UMass basketball as both a student-athlete and our head coach," Bamford said. "Derek will always be a Minuteman and we wish him and his family well in the future."