Solomon Out As St. Bonaventure Coach

Thursday, March 8th 2007, 10:44 am

By: News On 6

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) _ St. Bonaventure coach Anthony Solomon was dismissed Thursday after a 7-22 season, with his team failing to qualify for the conference tournament during his four years at the school.

Solomon went 24-88 at St. Bonaventure and had two more seasons left on his contract. While credited for restoring order to a troubled program when he took over in 2003 after a recruiting scandal, Solomon was unable to build a team capable of competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

The Bonnies were 4-12 in the league this year. Their best record while coached by Solomon was last season's 8-19 finish. The team went 10-54 in conference play during his four years.

``We thank Anthony Solomon for his dedication and tireless work during a very difficult period,'' St. Bonaventure president Sister Margaret Carney said in a statement. ``He placed a strong emphasis on integrity.''

Newly hired athletic director Steve Watson was to discuss the decision later in the day. Carney said a national coaching search would begin immediately.

This was Solomon's first college head coaching job. He was hired after spending his previous three years as an assistant at Notre Dame.

He took over a program that was in turmoil after former coach Jan van Breda Kolff was dismissed and the Bonnies boycotted their final two games of the 2002-03 season after Jamil Terrell was ruled ineligible for failing to meet junior college transfer guidelines. A year later, the NCAA disciplined the program, citing lack of institutional control.

``I wish to express appreciation to the university for the opportunity to be a part of this community for the past four years,'' Solomon said in a statement. ``I also want to encourage the returning team members to remain committed to their future at this fine institution.''