The athletics department at William and Mary remain mum on the exit of its head men’s basketball coach Tony Shaver.
Director of Athletics Samantha K. Huge made the announcement in a prepared statement late Wednesday afternoon, only saying Shaver “will not be retained.”
The Tribe season ended Sunday in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Quarterfinals, finishing with a 14-17 record.
“All the information I can share is written in the release,” said Pete Clawson, spokesman for the college’s athletic department.
When asked whether Shaver was fired, Clawson said he could not comment on staffing issues per state policy.
“I can tell you he is no longer working here,” he said.
Clawson noted Shaver did not resign.
When asked about Shaver’s annual salary, Clawson declined to provide information and told a WYDaily reporter to file a Freedom of Information Act request.
In 2009, Shaver received a raise that increased his annual salary to $200,000, William & Mary’s student newspaper, the Flat Hat reported.
Shaver’s son, Austin Shaver, has also served under his father as assistant coach since the 2012-2013 season.
The statement from the college contained no hint as to what happened to Shaver — it went on to praise him for his contributions to the basketball program.
“We are forever grateful to Tony for his commitment and service over 16 years to William & Mary,” Huge said. “He is a teacher not just a coach and his impact on hundreds of young men will be felt by them for years to come. However, we have high expectations for our men’s basketball program, including participating in the NCAA Tournament, and we will not shy away from setting the bar high. Now is the time to begin a new chapter in William & Mary basketball. On behalf of Tribe Athletics, I want to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Tony and we wish him all the best.”
During Shaver’s tenure, the Tribe made four appearances in the CAA Tournament final (most recently in 2015) as well as made two of the program’s three trips to the National Invitation Tournament (2010, 2015), according to college officials. Over his 16 seasons, Shaver compiled an overall record of 226-268 (.457) and 124-162 (.434) in conference.
A national search for a new head men’s basketball coach is underway.
Huge was not clear as to whether there will be a search committee involved.
She did not immediately return calls from WYDaily for comment.
