WASHINGTON, March 17 (UPI) -- Georgetown, which has fallen from national prominence in basketball, is looking for a new coach.
Craig Esherick was fired late Tuesday. In his five seasons as coach of the Hoyas, they reached the NCAA tournament just once. Georgetown's record this season was 13-15.
Esherick succeeded Hall of Fame Coach John Thompson in 1999 after being an assistant under Thompson during the team's years as a national power. The Hoyas won the NCAA title in 1984.
Thompson's son, John Thompson III, coach at Princeton, is considered a leading candidate to succeed Esherick, The Washington Times said.
"After careful deliberation, I have decided that it is time to make a change in leadership in our men's basketball program," Georgetown President John J. DeGioia said.
The newspaper said the announcement came on the eve of a scheduled campus protest rally by Georgetown alumni upset with the basketball program.
Esherick's overall record was 103-74 but his team had a losing mark in the Big East Conference three times, including 4-12 this season.
Before joining the coaching staff, Esherick played for Georgetown in the late 1970s.
