MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Air Force Academy, men's basketball head coach Joe Scott part ways
Coach was suspended in January as AFA launched investigation into treatment of players
The Air Force Academy and men's basketball head coach Joe Scott announced a mutual parting of ways on Friday.
"Coach Scott's passion for the game of basketball has long been evident in his competitive and direct coaching style. It was this coaching style that guided Air Force Basketball to some of the program's most memorable achievements during his initial tenure at the Air Force Academy," said Director of Athletics Nathan Pine in a news release. "This is a different day, and now is the right time for a new voice and a new approach to drive the culture and success of the men's basketball program, aligned with the Air Force Academy's mission of forging leaders of character developed to lead in our Air Force and Space Force. We thank Coach Scott for his 10 years of service to the Academy and wish him and his family well."
The announcement comes a little more than a month after the longtime AFA coach — who was in his second tenure with the team — was suspended indefinitely as the Academy investigated Scott's treatment of cadet-athletes. Assistant coach Jon Jordan was named interim head coach on Jan. 17. A permanent replacement for Scott has not been announced.
"I thank Nate Pine for his leadership. The Air Force Academy gave me my first head coaching opportunity and I am forever grateful. We will always be fans of Air Force Basketball," Scott said.
Scott was 12-2 in his first stint with the Falcons, which last for one season: 2022-03. He left in 2003 to coach at Princeton. He returned to AFA in 2020 and posted a 46-121 record — 14-84 in Mountain West games — before his suspension.
