Indiana fires head coach Tom Crean after nine seasons

Tom Crean is out as head coach at Indiana.

Indiana has fired head basketball coach Tom Crean, the university announced.

The announcement came just as the 2017 NCAA tournament round of 64 tipped off. 

The following statement was issued by the athletic director:

Crean's buyout is $4 million, but would have been $1 million on July 1.

Crean has a 301–166 record in his nine seasons at the helm in Indiana. He led the team to four NCAA tournament appearances.

The Hoosiers did not make the NCAA tournament and suffered a 12-point loss to Georgia Tech in the NIT.

The search for the next Indiana head coach has already started but no search committee will be assembled. Indiana "will consult with basketball experts from around the country and throughout the State of Indiana."