|
Air Force has parted ways with head coach Dave Pilipovich after eight seasons at the helm, the school announced Monday. The Falcons finished 12-20 this season, losing in the Mountain West quarterfinals to San Diego State. "Dave has been a tremendous ambassador for our Academy and basketball program," athletic director Nathan Pine said. "He is a gentleman and a professional and we appreciate all that he has done for Air Force. The bottom line is we have to be more competitive on the court. We entered this season with a senior-laden and talented team with high expectations. Unfortunately we did not meet our goals as a program this year. It's clear to me that a change in leadership is necessary at this time for us to move the program forward. Air Force will begin a national search for a new head coach immediately." Pilipovich spent 13 seasons on the Air Force sideline, the past eight as head coach. He failed to finish above .500 in the Mountain West in any of his eight seasons. His best campaign came in his debut season of 2012-13, when the Falcons finished 8-8 in conference play and 18-14 overall. Before moving to Air Force as an assistant in 2007, Pilipovich spent time as an assistant coach at Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Robert Morris, Georgia State and Florida Atlantic. Considered one of the tougher jobs in Division I, Air Force has reached the NCAA tournament twice since 1962 -- in 2006 under Jeff Bzdelik and 2004 under Joe Scott.
|
