Wake Forest Fires Coach Danny Manning After Six Seasons

Wake Forest has fired men's basketball coach Danny Manning after six seasons.

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Wake Forest has fired men's basketball coach Danny Manning after six seasons, the school announced Saturday. 

"I am very thankful for having had the opportunity to lead the Wake Forest men's basketball program," Manning said in a statement. "I am very proud of the numerous student-athletes I had the pleasure of coaching, especially the student-athletes who earned their degrees. I am particularly thankful for all of the hard work my staff has put in through the years. ...I wish the program nothing but success going forward."

Associate head coach Randolph Childress will serve as the acting head coach.

Stadium's Jeff Goodman was first to report Wake Forest's decision to part ways with Manning. 

During Manning's tenure with the Demon Deacons, the team went 78–111 and 30–80 in conference play. Wake Forest only had one postseason appearance under Manning, losing to Kansas State in the First Four in 2017.

Manning had a standout collegiate career at Kansas before playing in the NBA for 15 years with the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and more. He served as an assistant with the Jayhawks for six seasons and coached Tulsa for two years before joining the Demon Deacons.

Goodman reports coaching candidates for Wake Forest's vacancy include East Tennessee State's Steve Forbes, UNC Greensboro's Wes Miller, Winthrop University's Pat Kelsey and UMBC's Ryan Odom. 

Last season, Wake Forest finished with a 13–18 record and 6–14 in the ACC, while tying with Pitt and UNC for last place in the conference.