“WILMINGTON, North Carolina – The contract of fourth-year UNCW men’s basketball Head Coach Buzz Peterson has been terminated, UNCW Athletic Director Jimmy Bass announced Tuesday.
Bass has appointed assistant coach Eddie Biedenbach as interim head coach. A national search for Peterson’s replacement will begin immediately.
Peterson was named the ninth head men’s basketball coach in UNCW history on April 16, 2010, following a brief return to Appalachian State in 2009-10. He had coached previously at ASU, Tulsa, Tennessee and Coastal Carolina.
“We appreciate Coach Peterson’s work on behalf of the student-athletes and the university,” said Bass. “We thank him for his service and wish him well in the future.”
In four seasons at UNCW, Peterson coached the Seahawks to a 42-82 overall record and a 30-53 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association, featuring records of 13-18 (2010-11), 10-21 (2011-12), 10-20 (2012-13) and 9-23 (2013-14) over the last four years.”
In 16 years as a head coach, Peterson stands 267-229 in stops at UNCW, Appalachian State, Tulsa, Tennessee and Coastal Carolina.
Via UNCWsports.com
- For a podcast interview with Coach Peterson from 2012 clicker here
- Coach Peterson’s statement on Facebook:
“When I first took the head coaching position at UNC Wilmington, I knew it was a job that had its challenges. Once we got in, those challenges were more significant due to our severe APR issues and I knew the rebuilding project would take a minimum of seven years. While I was hoping to see the rebuilding process through to the end, I am fully aware of today’s sports climate that demands immediate results. For the great fans of Seahawk basketball, I am sorry that we could not deliver the results that you deserve. The thing I will miss the most is coaching a group of terrific young men who have given every ounce of effort to turn this program around. To those players and the Seahawk fans, I wish nothing but the best in the future.”