By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Brad Soderberg has been fired as men's basketball coach at Saint Louis University.
SLU released a statement this morning (Tuesday) saying it will immediately begin looking for a new coach: "It was determined that a coaching change is necessary if the University is to achieve its goal of consistently having one of the nation's top basketball programs."
Soderberg has led the Billikens for five years, but the team has failed to make the post-season in recent years, including having a dismal 9-21 season in 2004-2005.
The Billikens finished this season 20-13 (8-8 in conference play). It was Soderberg's first 20-win season at SLU, but the team's early exit from their conference tournament kept them from even getting into the NIT.
He was the 23rd men's basketball coach at SLU; compiling a record in five years of 80-74.
The team is getting ready to move into a new arena in 2008.
Assistant Angres Thorpe has been named interim head coach.