 Photo: Jim Klapthor
On the heels of Toledo's first losing season in five years, Toledo athletic director Mike O'Brien announced Monday that Joplin would not be returning for a thirteenth season.
Toledo finished the 2007-2008 season at 11-19 and 7-8 in the MAC. The Rockets earned the eighth seed in the recently completed MAC Tournament in Cleveland and were eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual champion Kent State after defeating Bowling Green in the opening round.
Joplin had signed a new, three-year contract in 2006 that was scheduled to run through 2009. The contract calls for a buyout equal to Joplin's annual base salary of $140,744 for early termination.
Under Joplin, who compiled a career record of 203-155 in twelve seasons, the Rockets claimed four MAC West titles and made four NIT appearances however Joplin had been under fire in previous seasons as fans and alumni grew restless with Toledo's lack of postseason success, and specifically, not having received an invitation to the NCAA Tournament since 1980.
Prior to signing his new contract after the 2005-2006 campaign, speculation was rampant that Joplin was about to be terminated but staved off a potential firing when the Rockets went on a seven-game winning streak that carried Toledo to the MAC Tournament championship game, bowing to Kent State 71-66 in the finals.
This season however proved to be one of the most difficult of Joplin's tenure when over half of his recruiting class was declared academically ineligible. The Rockets were dealt a further blow with the departure of last seaon's MAC Defensive Player of the Year, guard Kashif Payne, who left the team for "personal reasons."
Joplin, who is a Toledo alum and played for the Rockets from 1975-1979, ends his tenure at Toledo as just one of six MAC coaches to have recorded 200 career victories.
The Rockets are expected to begin a national search for a replacement for Joplin immediately.
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