Report: Texas fires Rick Barnes as men’s basketball coach

Texas has fired Coach Rick Barnes after 17 seasons, people with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press.

Steve Patterson, the university’s athletic director, made the decision after meeting with Barnes on Saturday, according to the people who requested anonymity because the school wasn’t expected to make a formal announcement before Sunday.

Barnes, 60, was the winningest coach in program history with 402 victories in 17 seasons and had only one losing season. He won three Big 12 Conference titles and his teams played in the NCAA tournament 16 times. Texas reached the Final Four in 2003.

But Barnes faced increasing criticism from fans after several years of early exits from the tournament, including a first-round loss to Butler this year.

Barnes, who has a 604-314 record in 28 seasons, will be paid a $1.75 million severance under his contract.

The firing was first reported by the Austin American-Statesman.

Florida Southern wins Division II title

Kevin Capers scored 24 points, Dylan Travis had 18 and Florida Southern defeated Indiana (Pa.), 77-62, at Evansville, Ind., to win the NCAA Division II men’s basketball championship.

The top-ranked Moccasins (36-1) led, 37-28, after one half and never were threatened. They finished the season on a school-record 25-game winning streak.

Devante Chance had 17 points for the Crimson Hawks (31-7).