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USF has fired Orlando Antigua as men’s basketball coach after a 6-7 start to the season and a 23-55 record overall in two and a half years at the helm. Assistant coach Murry Bartow will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Here’s the statement from AD Mark Harlan:
January 3, 2017,
Dear Bulls Family:
At USF Athletics our commitment to excellence is unwavering and central to our mission as highlighted in our strategic plan.
After a thorough and deliberate review of our men’s basketball program, a decision has been made to make a head coaching change. I met with Coach Antigua earlier today to inform him of this and to thank him for his service to USF. We wish Coach Antigua and his family the very best.
For the remainder of the season, assistant coach Murry Bartow will serve as interim head coach. We will continue to provide all the resources and support for our student-athletes and our coaching staff to have success. A national search to find our next head coach will commence immediately.
Please continue to support our men’s basketball team throughout the rest of the season and thank you for your continued support of USF athletics.
Sincerely,
Mark Harlan
Director of Athletics
From the NCAA investigation to the subsequent resignation of his brother Oliver Antigua, to key players such as Jahmal McMurray deciding to transfer, everything that seemingly could have gone wrong for Antigua did over the past six months. Harlan finally decided enough was enough and made the change.
We wish Coach Antigua the best in whatever’s next for him and his family. Meanwhile, it looks like we’re once again hitting the reset button on this men’s basketball program.