Report: Missouri State fires Hinson

BRISTOL, Conn., March 9 (UPI) -- Missouri State has fired Barry Hinson, who spent nine years as the Missouri Valley Conference school's men's basketball coach, a report said Sunday.

ESPN reported Hinson's firing, but the school has not commented on a move many observers had expected.

"I've thought long and hard over the last few days if this would come to pass, what would I say," he lamented March 7 after the Bears lost 63-58 to Illinois State in the MVC Tournament quarterfinals. "This is a business and I realize that, and I've been privileged to work in this arena for 11 years as a head man and four years as an assistant."

Hinson's overall record was 169-117, for a winning percentage of 59 percent. His teams had eight winning seasons and finished 2007-08 campaign with a mark of 17-17 (8-10 MVC).

The Bears recorded 22-win seasons in 2005-06 and 2006-07 and Hinson was given two-year extension last June.