Mark Gottfried will not return as NC State’s head basketball coach, the school announced on Thursday. A report from ABC 11 in Raleigh indicated that the decision to fire Gottfried was made over the weekend, but nothing was officially released until today.

Here is AD Debbie Yow, from Thursday’s release:

"Mark and I met today to discuss the future direction of our program," said Yow. "While it has long been my practice to evaluate the body of work at season's end, in reviewing the overall direction of our program, we believe a change in leadership is necessary moving forward. Our focus now remains on supporting our student-athletes and staff over the final weeks of our season."

Gottfried’s NC State team has floundered its way to a six-game losing streak that has included four blowouts by 20 points or more, which likely hastened this move. (Not to mention the external pressure created by the report on Monday about Gottfried’s status.)

The Pack is coming off a 97-73 home loss to UNC on Wednesday, a game that was only the latest sign that everyone on the NC State sideline has had enough of this basketball season.

My thanks to the Gott Man for all the fun times. It’s a shame it all blew up this way.