Utah State fired women's basketball coach Kayla Ard on Sunday night following a first-round exit in the Mountain West tournament -- a decision Ard said she was told of just before entering her postgame media availability.
"We appreciate everything Kayla and her staff have contributed to Utah State," athletic director Diana Sabau said in a statement. "However, it is in the best interest of the program to make a change."
Utah State won a combined nine games over the past two seasons, finishing 5-25 overall and 2-16 in the Mountain West in 2023-24.
Ard indicated she was informed of her firing by Sabau prior to her postgame news conference that followed the Aggies' 85-49 loss to Boise State in Las Vegas.
Asked by a reporter how she planned to rebuild for next season, Ard replied, "I'm not going to be rebuilding. I just coached my last game at Utah State. I spoke with Diana, and they're going in a different direction, and I respect her decision and I hope they get a really good coach in."
She concluded, "I'm assuming that's going to be the last question?"
Ard guided the Aggies to an overall record of 24-90 in her four seasons, including a 10-62 mark in conference play.