Charlotte has fired former NBA standout Mark Price after two-plus seasons, the school announced Thursday.
Price had a 30-42 mark since taking over the 49ers program, including a 16-20 record in Conference USA play. Charlotte is 3-6 this season and on a four-game losing streak.
The 53-year-old told ESPN that he was shocked by the school's decision.
Athletic director Judy Rose told the Associated Press that she felt the program was "trending in the wrong direction."
"When I looked at the games and how we came out and played, we weren't playing with the intensity to win. We weren't prepared," Rose said. "We would come out and fall behind, and it was difficult to catch up."
She was particularly unhappy with the team's performance in its past two games -- an 80-57 defeat to Wake Forest and a 64-50 loss to Chattanooga.
"I told [Price] it looked like we were going through the motions, instead of playing with intensity," Rose said. "I didn't get an answer [as to why], and I didn't see an answer."
Price signed a five-year deal in 2015 worth $500,000 per season. The four-time NBA All-Star with the Cleveland Cavaliers had previously been an assistant coach at Georgia Tech, his alma mater, and for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets.
Assistant coach Houston Fancher will take over on an interim basis to complete the season, Rose said. Fancher, 51, spent nine seasons (2000-09) as the coach at Appalachian State and was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 2007. He also coached at North Greenville.
Charlotte travels to East Carolina on Monday.