Washington fires head coach Lorenzo Romar after 15 seasons

Lorenzo Romar led Washington to six NCAA tournaments in his 15 seasons. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

There is another open head-coaching position in the Pac-12.

Hours after Cuonzo Martin left California for Missouri, Washington announced that it has fired Lorenzo Romar. Romar recently completed his 15th season running the program. Despite the presence of projected No. 1 NBA draft selection Markelle Fultz on the roster, the Huskies went 9-22 (2-16 Pac-12) and finished 11th in the Pac-12 this year. Fultz, who averaged a conference-leading 23.2 points per game, already announced that he will forgo his remaining eligibility to play professionally next year.

“After evaluating our men’s basketball program, I have determined that a change in leadership is necessary,” athletic director Jennifer Cohen said. “Today is particularly difficult because Coach Romar is such a beloved member of our University community. I want to thank Lorenzo and his family for 15 years of dedicated service and sacrifice to our University.”

Added Romar: “As a former student-athlete, and an alum of the University of Washington, this is definitely not an easy day for me. I was really looking forward to coaching our team next year and beyond. However, God had a different plan. I am proud of a lot of things we were able to accomplish in the 15 years that we were here. I want to thank all of the coaches, players and staff who have played a part in that success. I will always support the University of Washington, and pull for the Huskies.”

After 15 years with the program, Romar boasts a 298-195 overall record, but this year’s nine wins was the lowest total of his tenure. He led the Huskies to six NCAA tournament appearances, including three Sweet 16s, but UW hasn’t reached the Big Dance since 2011. UW also won two conference regular season titles, three conference tournaments and made three NIT appearances with Romar at the helm.

His dismissal has some immediate domino effects, especially on the recruiting trail. Despite average on-the-court results, Romar has still managed to attract top talent to Seattle in recent years, including Marquese Chriss and Dejounte Murray, both of whom were first round picks in the 2016 NBA Draft. Michael Porter Jr., the No. 1 recruit in the 2017 class, is committed to Washington, where his father, Michael Porter Sr., is an assistant. With Romar out of the picture and Porter Sr. — a close friend of Romar — likely to lose his position, the younger Porter could presumably look elsewhere.

One school that makes a lot of sense is Missouri, which announced the hire of Martin earlier on Wednesday. Porter Sr. is a former assistant for the Mizzou women’s program and two of his daughters currently play for the Tigers, so the family is certainly familiar with the school. In fact, ESPN says the hire is already in the works. Will Porter Jr. follow?

Cuonzo Martin will add Michael Porter Sr as an assistant, per sources. Michael Porter Jr did not sign an NLI.

— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) March 15, 2017

Washington has four other commitments in its 2017 class including Garfield High School (Seattle) teammates Daejon Davis and Jaylen Nowell. Both Davis (No. 45 overall) and Nowell (No. 69) are rated as four-star recruits by Rivals.com. Defections are expected.

Expected to be a mass exodus at @UW_MBB. Three starters and three incoming recruits say they're thinking about transferring. Wow.

— Percy Allen (@percyallen) March 15, 2017

In a news release, Washington said it would embark on a nationally coaching search for its next coach “immediately.”