OSU mbxb, May 6

Oregon State Athletic Director Bob De Carolis announced Monday that Head Men’s Basketball Coach Craig Robinson has been relieved of his duties effective immediately. “Despite my sincere want for Coach Robinson to be successful at Oregon State, as the days moved on since March, it became clear to me that wanting it to work with Craig as our head coach was not good enough,” said De Carolis. “Oregon State University, our student-athletes and our loyal supporters deserve more than simple desire — they deserve success. “Since that time, after further evaluation, thought and discussion, I decided last Thursday that my initial decision was wrong,” De Carolis said. Robinson completed his sixth season at the helm of the Beavers in March, compiling an overall record of 94-105; 39-69 in Pac-12 play. Robinson was hired April 7, 2008 as the 20th head coach in the program’s history. He arrived in Corvallis after spending two years as the head coach at Brown University. Prior to Brown, he served as an assistant coach at Northwestern University for six years. “I fully support the decision of Athletic Director Bob De Carolis, and I am confident in his leadership to restore OSU Men’s Basketball to a high degree of competitiveness in the Pac-12 Conference and on a national level,” said OSU President Ed Ray. “Craig Robinson provided important contributions while at Oregon State. He worked diligently to improve our men’s basketball program and build the new OSU Basketball Center. I appreciate those efforts and wish Craig, his wife, Kelly, and their family, my best for their future.” Oregon State will begin a national search immediately for Coach Robinson’s successor.