TUCSON, Ariz. -- Niya Butts' tenure as University of Arizona women's basketball head coach is ending after eight seasons.
Athletic director Greg Byrne announced Tuesday that will be relieved of her duties after the Wildcats complete their season in this week's Pac-12 tournament.
Butts had only one winning season in eight years, a 21-12 record in 2010-11, when Arizona tied for fourth in the Pac-12. The Wildcats have finished 11th or 12th in all five seasons since then.
Butts, who was assistant coach at Kentucky for five seasons prior to being hired at Arizona at age 30, has a 101-146 overall record and a 34-110 mark in conference games. The Wildcats are 12-18 this season, with a 3-15 record in Pac-12 play.
"I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed having Niya and her staff as part of our athletics department," Byrne said in a statement. "They brought such a positive energy to McKale and were positive role models for the young women that came through our program. Unfortunately, the results on the court weren't where we needed them to be."
"I've loved every second of my time in Tucson, from the student-athletes I was fortunate to coach, to the people in McKale, to the fans and supporters of Arizona athletics," Butts said in a statement. "Even though we didn't win as much as we all would have liked, I'm leaving the department with nothing but good memories and strong relationships that I will cherish forever."
