March 9, 2004 University of San Francisco men's head basketball coach Philip Mathews has been relieved of his post, USF Director of Athletics Bill Hogan announced today. Mathews coached the Dons for nine seasons recording a 139-123 record and led the Dons to the WCC tournament championship and an NCAA tournament bid in 1998. His conference record was 64-62. This season USF recorded a 17-14 mark and placed fourth in the WCC with a 7-7 mark. "Phil has done a solid job in his nine seasons at USF," said Hogan in announcing the move. "Phil has been here nine seasons and elevated the program," he continued. "He took us to our first NCAA bid since bringing basketball back. "Phil increased the previous ten years of WCC winning percentage by more than 10%. His players had strong graduation rates and were great kids off the floor. "However, the goals of the Dons' basketball team will always be to win the West Coast Conference Championship, so it is important for us to compete at a higher level." Mathews replaced Jim Brovelli in 1995 and improved the Dons from an 11-18 mark to 16-11 in his first season. The highlight was a 59-58 upset win over top-20 Stanford at the Cow Palace. In his second season he led the Dons to the WCC tournament finals where they dropped a 66-59 decision to St. Mary's. In 1998, USF would not be denied, upsetting Gonzaga 80-67 in the WCC finals. USF would lose its first round NCAA game to NCAA runner-up Utah. In 1999 the Dons dropped to 12-18 but had another great win over top-25 Xavier. USF rebounded in 1999-2000 recording a 19-9 mark, including a 12-1 non-league record. In 2000-01 and 2001-02 the Dons recorded losing marks, but under Mathews' leadership went 15-14 and 17-14 his last two seasons. The Dons, however, did not fare well in WCC tournament play over the past five years, losing four times in their first game. USF was eliminated by the tournament host on all five occasions. Mathews also recruited two WCC "Freshmen of the Year" during his tenure, Ali Thomas (1998) and Darrell Tucker (1980). Hogan will begin the search for a new coach immediately and will make a recommendation to the Vice President of University Advancement. "It is desirable to have someone on board before the Spring signing date but we will take longer to hire the right person if necessary."
The Mathews Record Overall WCC 298-56 at Ventura College (J.C.) Season W L W-L (place) Notes 1995-96 16 11 8-6 (t3rd) Top WCC defense 1996-97 16 13 9-5 (3rd) WCC Tournament Finals 1997-98 19 11 7-7 (t4th) First USF NCAA trip since 1982 1998-99 12 18 4-10 (7th) Wins over Xavier, Weber State 1999-00 19 9 7-7 (5th) Best USF record since 1982 2000-01 12 18 5-9 (t5th) upsets of Fresno State and BYU 2001-02 13 15 8-6 (t3rd) Newell win vs. Michigan - 3rd WCC 2002-03 15 14 9-5 (3rd) 9-5 WCC, one game from 2nd place 2003-04 17 14 7-7 (4th) Wins over Ohio State and Pacific 9 years 139 123 64-62
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