Women’s basketball coach Waites fired after four years

Apparently a return to the Big East Tournament was not enough to save Traci Waites’ job.

On… Apparently a return to the Big East Tournament was not enough to save Traci Waites’ job.

On Tuesday, interim athletics director Marc Boehm announced that Waites will not return as head coach of the women’s basketball team.

“We have some high aspirations for our women’s basketball program at the University of Pittsburgh,” Boehm said in a press release. “Unfortunately, the last three seasons we have not been making the strides necessary to reach those goals.”

Waites, who became the head coach in 1998, compiled 53-85 overall record and a 20-62 record in the Big East during her tenure. This season, she led Pitt to a 12-16 overall record, but finished just 4-12 in the conference.

However, the Panthers returned to the Big East Tournament this season for the first time since 2000. That year, Pitt finished 16-13 and made the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

“The university appreciates Traci Waites’ efforts over the last five years and wishes her well in future pursuits,” Boehm said. “The search for a new head coach will begin immediately.”