DePaul fires men's basketball coach

CHICAGO, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Jerry Wainwright was fired Monday as men's basketball coach at DePaul after the Blue Demons opened the Big East schedule with three losses.

DePaul has lost its last four games overall and is 7-8 on the year. The 0-3 conference start comes on the heels of an 0-18 Big East record in 2008-09.

DePaul assistant Coach Tracy Webster was named interim coach for the rest of this season.

"At this time a change needed to be made in the direction of the men's basketball program at DePaul University," DePaul Athletics Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto said. "We are very grateful to Coach Wainwright for his service to our student-athletes and our university community. He provided unwavering leadership in assisting our student-athletes in both their academic and personal growth."

Wainwright was in his fifth season at DePaul, building a 59-80 record. The Blue Demons were 9-24 last season.

Wainwright previously coached at UNC-Wilmington (1994-2002) and Richmond (2002-05). His 16-season coaching record is 245-225.