COLORFUL FICK WON'T BE REHIRED AS MOREHEAD STATE COACH

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State basketball coach Dick Fick, whose animated sideline style gained him national notoriety, will not be rehired when his contract expires after this season, the school announced Monday.

Fick, in his sixth season at the Ohio Valley Conference school, has compiled a 61-93 overall record, including a 7-20 mark last season. The Eagles are 5-11 this season, including 3-5 in the OVC.

Morehead State President Ronald G. Eaglin said he was following the recommendation of Athletics Director Steve Hamilton and Vice President for Student Life Mike Mincey in deciding against renewing Fick's contract.

"We appreciate the effort that coach Fick has put into the basketball program over this six-year period, particularly by continuing and reinforcing the university's emphasis on the academic success of our student athletes," Eaglin said. "We certainly wish him well in his future endeavors."

Mincey said the Eagles' record and declining attendance for home games were among several factors involved in the decision.

"We just feel like the basketball program needs to go in another direction," he said.

Fick was not available for comment. Morehead State played at Austin Peay in an OVC game Monday night.

Fick's high-spirited sideline actions several years ago led the late ESPN college basketball analyst Jim Valvano to announce creation of a weekly "Dick Fick Award" for a coach who, through his sideline actions and demeanor, best illustrated being "into" the game.

But Fick exhibited a serious side, as well. He has noted that during his tenure the Morehead State program's graduation rate ranked first three times among Kentucky's Division I basketball schools.

Fick's only winning season came in 1994-95, when the Eagles went 15-12 and he was named co-coach of the year in the OVC.

Eaglin said a committee would be appointed immediately to begin the search for a new head coach.