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Clemson has fired its head baseball coach Monte Lee, the school announced Tuesday.
The decision came just one day after the Tigers missed the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.
“Monte and his staff have been nothing but professional in their approach to Clemson Baseball, and we appreciate the manner in which they’ve represented Clemson University,” said athletic director Graham Neff in a statement.
Vanderbilt and Clemson met in game four of the NCAA 2018 Division I Baseball Championship held at Clemson’s Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday, June 2, 2018. Monte Lee (18) head coach for Clemson is not happy after a questionable call. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“The expectations for Clemson Baseball are very high, and the team’s recent on-field performance has not met those of our administration, our coaching staff, our student-athletes, or our loyal fanbase,” Neff added. “Clemson Baseball is a proud program, and we, as a department, are committed to doing all we can to return our program to national prominence. We will work with our student-athletes to ensure that the transition process is successful.”
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Lee had replaced Jack Leggett in 2015 to become just the third head baseball coach for Clemson since 1958.
The NCAA 2018 Division I Baseball Championship regional playoffs in Clemson, S.C. on June 3, 2018, held an elimination game between St. John’s and Clemson. Monte Lee (18) head coach of Clemson’s baseball team before the game. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Lee earned a 242-136 record in seven seasons with the Tigers. His tenure saw the program make it to the NCAA Tournament four times from 2016-19, as well as the ACC Championship in 2016.
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But Clemson missed the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons under Lee. The program had a 60-50 record but struggled in ACC play, going 29-36.
It was just the third time Clemson missed making the tournament field in the last 36 years.
Clemson and Vanderbilt played against one another in the NCAA 2018 Division I Baseball Championship regional match up on June 2, 2018, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Monte Lee (18) head coach of Clemson in the dugout. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The school said the search for its next head coach will “commence immediately.”
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Assistant coach Bradley LeCroy and director of operations Brad Owens will oversee the program during the search.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
