RUSTON — The Chris Long era at Louisiana Tech is over.

Long, a Vicksburg native and former Vicksburg High girls basketball coach, was fired on Monday afternoon as Louisiana Tech’s women’s basketball coach, athletic director Derek Dooley said. Long was in his fourth season as head coach at La. Tech after spending six seasons as a Lady Techster assistant coach under Leon Barmore and Kurt Budke.

“I put my heart and soul into trying to revive a program that i have been a part of for a decade. The landscape of women’s basketball has changed dramatically over the last eight years or so. I know as far as academics and players in the program, that I am leaving it in better shape than I inherited it,” Long said in a statement released by the university. The players getting playing time are juniors, sophomores and freshmen. My hope is that those players have all the success in the world. I strongly believe this program will prosper in the coming years through our recruiting efforts.”

After 25 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Lady Techsters failed to make the postseason the past two years after going 17-13 and 16-15 being eliminated from the WAC Tournament.

“These decisions are very difficult to make and are not made without careful consideration of all the facts and implications,” Dooley said. “We are grateful for the loyal and dedicated service Chris has given to the program over the last decade.”

Following Tech’s 66-61 loss to Boise State Sunday, Tech is 12-11 overall this year and sitting in fifth place in the Western Athletic Conference standings. Long was 71-44 during his head coaching tenure at LA Tech.

“Lady Techster basketball has a unique tradition and has been a tremendous source of pride for everyone associated with Louisiana Tech,” Dooley said. “It is important to me that we continue to invest in the program and rekindle the effort, enthusiasm and competitiveness that has been a hallmark of all of our teams.”

Dooley said that associate head coach Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Weatherspoon, a former Lady Techster, led Team USA to the 1988 Olympic Gold Medal before embarking on a professional basketball career overseas. She returned to the States in 1997 as a member of the New York Liberty of the newly-created WNBA and spent seven seasons there before playing one year for the Los Angeles Sparks.