Wake Forest has fired basketball coach Danny Manning after six seasons, the school announced Saturday.
“After a comprehensive review of the men’s basketball program, and with the support of President Hatch and University leadership, I have determined that it is time for a change in our head coaching position,” athletic director John Currie said in a statement.
The Demon Deacons never finished above .500 in the ACC under Manning, who had a 14-42 conference record over the past three seasons. Last season, they went 13-18 overall and 6-14 in the ACC, finishing in a tie for last in the conference standings.
Wake Forest finished 12th or worse in the league in five of Manning’s six seasons.
“I am very thankful for having had the opportunity to lead the Wake Forest men’s basketball program,” Manning said in a statement. “I am very proud of the numerous student-athletes I had the pleasure of coaching, especially the student-athletes who earned their degrees. I am particularly thankful for all of the hard work my staff has put in through the years.
“I am so grateful to the Wake Forest community, who have made Winston-Salem a special home for my family and I from the second we stepped on campus in 2014. I wish the program nothing but success going forward.”
Overall, Manning went 78-111 in his six seasons in Winston-Salem and 30-80 in conference play.
The Demon Deacons made one postseason appearance under Manning, losing in the First Four in 2017.
Manning, who played for 15 seasons in the NBA after a legendary college career at Kansas, spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the Jayhawks before taking over as the head coach of Tulsa for two seasons.
After leading the Golden Hurricane to the NCAA tournament in 2014, Manning was hired by Wake Forest to replace Jeff Bzdelik.
Wake Forest said it will immediately begin a search for a new coach. Until then, Randolph Childress will serve as the acting head coach.
