San Jose State Fires Berry 2 Months After Walkout

Bill Berry was fired Friday as basketball coach at San Jose State, two months after 10 players had quit the team, accusing him of “verbal abuse” and “mental cruelty.”

Athletic Director Randy Hoffman said that no replacement has been chosen and a national search has been launched. Hoffman said he wants the next coach “in order of priorities, to recruit, retain and graduate student-athletes.”

Berry, 47, had a 142-144 record in 10 seasons at San Jose. The Spartans, who qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. tournament in 1980 and played in the National Invitation Tournament in ‘81, were 5-23 this season, losing all 12 games after the Jan. 18 walkout.

The players who walked out will not be allowed to return to the team, Hoffman said.