Cincinnati men’s basketball coach John Brannen will not be doing his job as Bearcats coach again.
The school announced on Friday that Brannen had been fired after being placed on leave on Saturday. Brannen’s suspension comes with payment after six players announced they were moving.
“This afternoon, we informed John Brannen, head coach of men’s basketball, that he was immediately relieved of his duties,” said Cincinnati athletic director John Cunningham. ‘Tim Morris will serve as interim head coach as we conduct a comprehensive nationwide search for a new leader in our men’s basketball program.
“The decision to move in a new direction comes after a thorough review of our program, which includes discussions with student-athletes, coaches and staff and with Coach Brannen. Ultimately, the University acts in the best interests of our student. “Athletes and the institution, and this decision reflects our commitment to both, as well as to our values, which we greatly appreciate. As this is a personnel matter, we can not give further details about the program review or the decision.”
The school did not set out the allegations he was investigating when he said Brannen was placed on leave following the outcome of player transfers. The announcement of Brannen’s suspension and review comes on the same day that former Bearcats coach Mick Cronin coached UCLA in the Final Four against Gonzaga.
Four of the players who said they were switching from Cincinnati were freshmen in 2020-21.
Brannen defeated Cincy 32-21
Brannen has been appointed to replace Cronin after joining UCLA after the 2018-19 season. Brannen ends his Cincinnati career with a record of 32-21. Cincinnati won the AAC series in the regular season in 2019-20, but finished only 12-11 this season.
Fires came to Northern Kentucky after Cincinnati. His Northern Kentucky teams were 81-51 in four seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament twice. Northern Kentucky has won at least 22 games in each of Brannen’s last three seasons.
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