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CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) -- Southern Utah's decision to fire coach Joe Hillock, after consecutive 11-17 losing seasons, "came as quite a shock," he said Tuesday.
Hillock had been the Thunderbirds' women's basketball coach for 10 years.
The school said Monday it had decided not to renew Hillock's one-year contract.
"Apparently we didn't win enough games," Hillock said in a telephone interview.
The Thunderbirds were 128-146 during Hillock's tenure. He led Southern Utah to four winning seasons, including an 18-10 school record in Division I in 2004. Southern Utah became a Division I school in 1988.
Hillock's teams also had three 16-12 seasons in 1997-98, 1998-1999 and 2000-01. But his teams have finished below the .500 mark in four of the last five seasons.
On March 4, the Thunderbirds were eliminated from a Mid-Continent Conference tournament quarterfinal. Western Illinois won, 50-37.
Hillock said in his 10 years at the school every women's basketball player graduated.
"Our kids were true student-athletes," he said.
"We want to thank coach Hillock for everything he's done for the program," athletic director Ken Beazer said in a statement Monday. "I've looked at this from every angle since I came on board and have determined it is time for the women's basketball program to move in a different direction."
Beazer became athletic director in December. Hillock said being coach was a great job. He hasn't decided what he will do next.
Beazer said a national search for a new head coach would begin as soon as possible.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-03-21-06 1034MST
