The Binghamton University Athletic Department will begin the search for a new men's basketball coach very soon. BU's Athletic Director confirmed on Monday they will not be bringing Mark Macon back next season. As our Elyse Mickalonis tells us, the AD says it’s not a decision based on wins and losses, but one for the future of the program.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

VESTAL, N.Y. -- The BU Bearcats Men’s basketball program is shaking things up, as Athletic Director Patrick Elliot confirms, Mark Macon will not return as head coach next season.

"After careful consideration, I've made the difficult decision to make a change in leadership with our men’s basketball program. Macon led this program during an extremely difficult period. I thank him for his efforts. This decision comes after an assessment of our current program and my expectations for the future,” said Patrick Elliot, BU’s Athletic Director.

Elliot said last year's 2-29 record did not play a role in the decision, instead it's based on a long list of criteria.

“At the end of the post season we do an assessment and we look toward the future. That was when I was able to look at what my vision and expectations are of this program and to weigh that against all the information I had,” said Elliot.

Macon took over the program at a time of turmoil. Then head coach Kevin Broadus had been suspended and a group of players were dismissed from the team. Elliot credits Macon with stabilizing the basketball program, but said it's time to look toward the future.

“I want to have a quality men’s basketball program with quality students, quality athletes and quality citizens. I want to compete in the top half of the America East Conference and I want to win the America East Championship,” said Elliot.

As far as who will be brought in, the AD said they're looking for a coach with experience.

“Somebody who has recruiting division one experience, whether that means they're a head coach or not is not necessarily going to be a factor,” said Elliot. “But certainly they have division one recruiting experience.”

Elliot hopes his nationwide search for the new coach will take about three to four weeks. He said they are honoring Macon’s employment agreement which runs through February of 2014. The moneys owed to him would be approximately $300,000. They will offset that amount with athletic commercial revenue.