MADISON, Wisconsin – Wisconsin fired female basketball coach Jonathan Tsipis after a loss in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.
Tsipis went 50-99 over five seasons, including a 16-74 mark in the Big Ten competition. The Badgers went 5-19 overall and 2-18 in the Big Ten this season.
Wisconsin sports director Barry Alvarez announced the change of coach on Tuesday night. The Badgers had lost 67-42 to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament that day.
“I appreciate the efforts of coach Tsipis during his five years with us, but we feel that it is time for a new direction for our women’s basketball program,” said Alvarez in a statement. “I wish Jonathan the best as he moves forward.”
Tsipis arrived in Wisconsin after making 92-38 over four seasons in George Washington and winning consecutive seats in the NCAA tournament in 2015 and 2016, but failed to translate that success into the Big Ten. Wisconsin has never won more than four conference games in any of Tsipis’ five seasons.
Wisconsin hasn’t produced a winning season since 2010-11 and hasn’t made it to the NCAA tournament since 2010.