New Mexico to terminate contract of hoops coach McKay

Feb 22, 2007 - 10:15 PM ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (Ticker) -- Ritchie McKay will not be around for a sixth season as New Mexico men's basketball coach.

The school announced Thursday that McKay's contract will be terminated at the end of the 2006-07 season.

McKay, 41, has guided the Lobos to a 15-13 overall record this season and a 4-9 mark in Mountain West Conference play. New Mexico opened the campaign with five straight wins but has fallen on hard times of late, dropping 10 of its last 13 games.

McKay, who has three years remaining on his contract, will coach the team until the end of the season. The Lobos have three regular-season games left and at least one contest in the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

In nearly five seasons with New Mexico, McKay has compiled an 82-65 mark. His best season came in 2004-05, when he guided the Lobos to a 26-7 mark and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Prior to coming to New Mexico, McKay also coached at Oregon State, Colorado State and Portland State. He owns a career record of 165-154 in nearly 11 seasons.