Tom Collins made his first major decision as athletic director for Ball State University on Wednesday by announcing changes within the men's basketball team's coaching staff.
Collins announced that six-year coach Tim Buckley will be reassigned to a position in University Development. Collins dismissed Buckley's three assistant coaches - Steve Lynch, Jay Bryant and Jamall Walker.
The announcement was made a week after the Cardinals' season ended with an 80-72 loss to Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Collins, who was named athletic director in January, said he made the decision to reassign Buckley based on many factors.
"I did a lot of searching myself and what I thought, where we could be, where we should be, and just felt we needed to make this change at this point in time," Collins said. "I listened to a lot of people, staff people and people outside the department. I tried to go through all those things and in my mind, figure out where the program is at and where we need to go."
Buckley still has three years remaining on his contract and Ball State would have paid nearly $400,000 to buy it out. Bryant and Walker's contracts were to expire on March 31 while Lynch had one year remaining.
Collins said he made the decision on Monday and met with Buckley Wednesday morning to inform him about his decision. Buckley said he entered Wednesday's meeting hoping to evaluate the season with Collins.
"Basically, the gist of the meeting was that I was reassigned and got my reassignment letter and that was pretty much it," Buckley said.
Buckley also said he hasn't decided on his future but is glad to have a place at Ball State for the next three years.
President Jo Ann Gora said in her President's Perspective Wednesday that Buckley will assist with fund-raising efforts in his new position. She also thanked Buckley for his dedication in his 11 years with the school.
"It is very important to acknowledge the many years of hard work and dedication that Tim and his colleagues have given to the university," Gora said.
After meeting with the press Wednesday about Buckley's reassignment, Collins met with players to discuss the situation. Collins wouldn't allow players to be available for comment.
Collins said there isn't a set timetable on the search for a new coach and he will suggest to Gora that he wants the search to be done without the help of an outside search firm.
Until a new coach is hired, former Ball State player and current director of basketball operations Michael Bennett will be supervising players.
Buckley compiled a 143-139 record during his six years at Ball State. The Cards were predicted to finish near the top in the conference this year but that all changed after preseason All-MAC guard Peyton Stovall tore his ACL in Ball State's second game, ending his season.
More turmoil followed when Buckley dismissed two players, junior Darren Yates and senior Tom Howland, from Ball State this season for conduct detrimental to the team.
The season ended with a fourth-place finish in the MAC West and Ball State (10-18 overall) compiled its worst record since the 1986-87 season. Under Buckley's direction, Ball State won one MAC regular season championship and never advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Collins said that's something he expects out of a program like Ball State.
"I would think that Ball State University would want to position itself at the top of the MAC," Collins said. "I think we should be competing for that MAC Championship every year."
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