Ole Miss, Insell part ways after difficult season

Published 10:26 pm Friday, March 2, 2018

OXFORD (AP) — Ole Miss’ Matt Insell is out as women’s basketball coach after five seasons with the program.

Insell and the school “mutually agreed to part ways” according to an announcement on the school’s website on Friday. Ole Miss lost 59-50 to Missouri in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Thursday to end a 12-19 seasonthat included a 1-15 mark in league play.

Insell had a 70-87 record over his five seasons, including an 18-62 record in SEC play. The Rebels advanced to the WNIT in both 2015 and 2017, but regressed this season, falling to last place in the SEC.

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“Coach Insell inherited a very difficult situation in 2013, and we appreciate his focus and hard work over the last five years,” Ole Miss athletic director Ross Bjork said in a statement. “In our final analysis, Coach Insell and I agreed that the program needs new leadership. Coach Insell will be a coach for a long time in the future, and we wish him the best as he moves forward.”

Ole Miss’ announcement said a nationwide search will now begin for a new coach. Ole Miss has reached the NCAA Women’s Tournament 17 times in its history, and advanced to the Sweet 16 10 times and the Elite Eight five times.

“Ole Miss Women’s Basketball has a deep history of success, and we will search the nation for the best coach,” Bjork said. “We have a great foundation in place, and I know we can compete at the highest level.”