KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- It was confirmed in a statement Friday morning from the University of Tennessee athletic department that Donnie Tyndall’s contract as head basketball coach has been terminated. Tyndall spent two seasons at Southern Miss, leading them to 56 wins in the process. He was the fastest coach to reach 50 wins in Southern Miss basketball history. After the 2014 season, he took a job with the Tennessee Volunteers as their head coach.
Shortly after that, last fall, an investigation by the NCAA began focusing on improper financial aid provided to non-scholarship players as well as academic misconduct. “It is disappointing that we have to take this action,” Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart said in a statement Friday. “It is highly likely that Coach Tyndall will face significant penalties at the conclusion of the NCAA’s infractions process. We believe that this decision is in the best interests of the University of Tennessee.”
Southern Miss basketball had already announced in January a self-imposed postseason ban for Men’s Basketball this season, adding the knowledge that the investigation focused on the 2012-2013, 2013-2014 seasons. The Golden Eagles also lost Jeremiah Eason and Rasham Suarez to reported academic ineligibility, with others looking to transfer elsewhere.
Tyndall had a record of 16-16 in one season as the Vols head coach.
