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Texas will not extend head coach Karen Aston’s contract

By Christine M. Hopkins

MANHATTAN, KS - FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Karen Aston of the Texas Longhorns reacts after a call against the Longhorns during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats on February 27, 2017 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. Texas defeated Kansas State 69-61. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS - FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Karen Aston of the Texas Longhorns reacts after a call against the Longhorns during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats on February 27, 2017 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. Texas defeated Kansas State 69-61. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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One of the Big 12’s top teams is getting a new look

The University of Texas announced Friday that head coach Karen Aston’s contract will not be extended.

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“For our student-athletes, staff, letterwinners, fans, alumni and donors, we recognize the challenge of making a change in this particular springtime, but there is never a right time for a difficult decision like this,” said UT vice president and athletics director Chris Del Conte. “We feel it is in the best interest of our program to move forward now and establish new direction for the 2020-21 season.”

Coming off a first-round exit in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, this season’s Longhorns endured a somewhat rocky start before grabbing a signature win over top-ranked Stanford, the program’s first upset of a No. 1 team since 2004. Texas finished 11-7 in Big 12 play, good for third place, and 19-11 overall.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 03: One of these coaches has led Texas to four Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight. The other hasn’t won an NCAA Tournament game at Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 03: One of these coaches has led Texas to four Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight. The other hasn’t won an NCAA Tournament game at Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images) /

In her eight-year tenure, Aston led the Longhorns to seven NCAA Tournaments, which included four Sweet Sixteen trips and the 2016 Elite Eight. Her overall record was 184-83, including 93-51 in the Big 12.

“After evaluating and reviewing where we stand as a program and discussing the future, we have determined to move in a different direction with our continued goals to work to contend for conference championships and NCAA elite status,” Del Conte said.

The search for Aston’s replacement has begun.

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