May 21, 2012

Van Zant, Spencer relieved of duties

The coaching carousel has begun to turn, starting in the Big 12.

Future member West Virginia will not renew the contract of head coach Greg Van Zant (left). The Mountaineers were 23-32 this past season and 9-18 in the Big East, failing to make the eight-team tourney field. Van Zant spent 18 seasons as head coach of the Mountaineers, posting a record of 528-451-1. WVU won the Big East Tournament in 1996, earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament bid. A native of Williamson, W.Va., Van Zant was a four-year starter at third base for the Mountaineers from 1980-83. He helped WVU reach the NCAA regionals in 1982. Van Zant was an assistant at Georgia Southern before accepting an assistant position at his alma mater in 1990.

Texas Tech will bring in a new head coach after the dismissal of Dan Spencer. The Red Raiders were 29-26 overall this past season and 7-17 in the Big 12. Texas Tech did not qualify for the Big 12 Tournament. Spencer was 115-112 in four seasons with the Red Raiders, including 44-61 in the Big 12. Spencer spent 11 seasons as assistant and associate head coach at Oregon State, helping the Beavers win consecutive national championships.

(photos courtesy of WVU & Texas Tech Media Relations Offices)