Xavier parted ways with coach Travis Steele on Wednesday, even as the Musketeers are still playing in the NIT.
While the school framed the move as a mutual parting of ways, CBS Sports reports the move was a surprise to Steele.
“I want to thank Travis and his staff for their tireless efforts on behalf of the Xavier Basketball program,” director of athletics Greg Christopher said in a statement. “Travis led the team with the utmost character and in a first-class manner. He navigated us through a difficult time with COVID-19 and always focused on what was best for our student-athletes. I have tremendous respect for Travis, and he’s been a part of Xavier Basketball for more than a decade, playing an important role in some of the program’s greatest accomplishments.”
Steele was elevated from assistant to head coach in 2018 when Chris Mack left to take the job at Louisville. Steele was an assistant coach in Cincinnati for 10 seasons before getting the head coaching title.
Xavier defeated Cleveland State on Tuesday night to advance to the second round of the NIT. The school will begin a national search for a successor immediately, per the reports.
Associate head coach Jonas Hayes has been appointed the interim head coach as the Musketeers prepare for the winner of Iona-Florida in the second round of the NIT. Xavier’s game is slated for Sunday.
Steele, 40, had a winning record in each of his four seasons but didn’t get the Musketeers into the NCAA Tournament. However, the tourney was canceled in 2020.
Xavier was ranked No. 17 at one point in this season’s Top 25 poll but lost eight of 10 games to miss the NCAA tourney.
Steele finishes with a 19-13 record in 2021-22. He was 70-50 in four seasons in Cincinnati. However, he never led Xavier to a winning record in the Big East.
Steele’s contract ran through 2024. Xavier was Steele’s first head coaching post. He was promoted by Xavier after initially joining the staff for the 2008-09 campaign.
–Field Level Media
