Stephen F. Austin fires coach Kyle Keller after 8-11 start

Stephen F. Austin University fired men's basketball coach Kyle Keller after an 8-11 start to the season.The Lumberjacks are 1-7 in Southland Conference play and coming off a 79-59 loss Monday at Mc

Stephen F. Austin fires coach Kyle Keller after 8-11 start

Stephen F. Austin University fired men’s basketball coach Kyle Keller after an 8-11 start to the season.

The Lumberjacks are 1-7 in Southland Conference play and coming off a 79-59 loss Monday at McNeese.

Keller, 57, was in his ninth season at the school in Nacogdoches, Texas, and leaves with a 171-95 record.

He led SFA to the NCAA Tournament in 2017-18 and was the Southland’s Coach of the Year in 2019-20.

“We want to thank Kyle for his positive contributions and leadership over the past nine seasons, including memorable and iconic wins at some of the most hallowed sites in college basketball that will forever be etched in SFA history,” athletic director Michael McBroom said in a news release Wednesday. “We wish him well in his future opportunities.”

Keller’s win total ranks second in the school’s Division I history behind Danny Kaspar with 246 from 2000-13.

Associate head coach Tony Jasick will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season. The Lumberjacks host Northwestern State on Saturday.