TU Lets Go of Women’s Head Coach Thomas-Swinson

The University of Tulsa did not renew Charlene Thomas-Swinson’s contract and is searching for a new women’s basketball head coach.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:16 pm

By: News On 6

TU Lets Go of Women’s Head Coach Thomas-Swinson

Originally Published: Mar 10, 2011 10:5 AM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

TULSA, Okla.—The University of Tulsa has not renewed the contract with women’s head basketball coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson.

“Based on the overall performance of our women’s basketball program over the last six seasons we’ve chosen not to renew the contract of Coach Thomas-Swinson,” said Tulsa athletic director Bubba Cunningham.

The announcement was made Wednesday night, the same night that TU finished its season with a 71-62 loss to eastern Carolina in the first round of the Conference USA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Golden Hurricane finished the 2010-2011 season with an overall record of 5-20 and 1-15 in conference play.

During her six year campaign at Tulsa, Thomas-Swinson compiled a 72-103 overall record.

In 2006 she was named the Conference USA Coach of the year after she was the first coach in school history to lead the Hurricane to a conference regular season and tournament title, and she guided TU to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and postseason win. Tulsa posted a school record 26-6 overall mark and a first-place finish of 13-3 in Conference USA in 2005-06.

Coach Swinson is the ninth head coach in TU women’s basketball history and the third coach since the women’s basketball program was re-established in the 1996-97 season.

The University said it will conduct a national search for the next women’s head basketball coach, but that no comment on potential candidates will be made.

The TU men’s team continues its quest for the Conference USA title Thursday at 8 p.m. against Rice.