The man Knights basketball fans have known as their coach for more than a decade will not return next year.

UCF Athletics announced Monday that the school “will not retain” — or in other words has fired — head men’s basketball coach Kirk Speraw.

“I want to thank Coach Speraw for his tenure at the University of Central Florida, leading our men’s basketball program,” Tribble said. “This was not an easy decision, but one we felt will serve in the best interest of our program’s direction. Coach Speraw has always gone about his position with integrity and class and we appreciate all he and his staff have contributed to UCF basketball. This is the right time to make a change in direction.”

Speraw has led the Knights since 1993. The decision comes after he recruited Marcus Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, to play for the Knights.

UCF Athletics is holding a press conference at 3 p.m. to discuss the decision. KnightNews.com’s Matt Fontana will attend and provide a full report later today.

Associate Head Coach Mike Jaskulski will serve as interim coach until a successor is named.

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See Speraw’s year-by-year stats at UCF by clcking next page below.