Cal Poly men’s basketball coach Kevin Bromley was bought out of his contract and will not return next season according to a statement released by the school’s athletic Web site.
Bromley started his career at Cal Poly as an assistant under head coach Jeff Schneider in 1995 before taking over the top job two years later. He would remain head coach for the next 12 seasons.
The Mustangs finished 7-21 this year, and 3-13 in the Big West Conference, missing the conference tournament for the second time under Bromley.
He posted a 99-145 overall record at Cal Poly as head coach and was 57-89 in conference play.
Cal Poly athletic director Alison Cone said that the buyout will not be paid through state funds, meaning that a private donor was likely found. Bromley was scheduled to make $178,902 next year according to the Sacramento Bee state salary database.
“We greatly appreciate the contributions that Kevin has made during his 14 years of service at Cal Poly,” Cone said in the statement. “Kevin has been a great ambassador for our department and the university, and I want to thank him for his effort.”
Bromley’s teams did have some success, appearing in two conference championship games and were minutes away from an NCAA tournament birth in 2003 and 2007.
“This is never an easy decision and was not made quickly,” Cone said. “But after a comprehensive review of the program, I determined that it was time to move the program in a different direction.”
During Bromley’s tenure the Mustangs had 27 all-conference honorees including four freshman of the year winners.
“With my 14 years at Cal Poly, I feel that I have been part of something special,” Bromley said in the statement. “I am thankful for all the relationships I have developed and support I have received during my tenure.
“I wish the players in the program continued success,” Bromley added. “I have cherished the relationships with all the players I have coached.”
A nationwide search for a new head coach will likely begin as early as this evening.