Tony Barbee is fired as coach of Central Michigan

After four seasons, Tony Barbee was sacked as coach of Central Michigan on Thursday.

The Chippewas finished 49-75 over Barbee’s four seasons as head coach and 14-17 this season.

The 53-year-old Barbee had one successful season at Central Michigan, finishing 18-14 in 2023–24.

“At this point, I have decided that we need to take our men’s basketball program’s leadership in a different direction,” stated Amy Folan, athletic director, in a press statement. “For his commitment and service over the past four years in Mount Pleasant, I would like to thank Tony. We hope he has the finest possible future.

“During our hunt for a head coach, I have no doubt that we will draw in a top-tier pool of applicants. This is an amazing chance, and we are confident that our community will support the next Chippewa men’s basketball coach.”

Barbee’s four-season tenure at Auburn from 2010–14 ended with a 49–75 record as well. Barbee’s previous record at UTEP was 82-52 from 2006–10, and he guided the Miners to a 26-7 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2009–10.