Stanford has parted ways with coach Johnny Dawkins after eight seasons, the school announced Monday.

"This decision was not easy and it was a very difficult discussion for both Johnny and me, but like everything else during his tenure at Stanford, he handled it with class, respect and the utmost concern for his student-athletes," athletic director Bernard Muir said in a statement.

"There are so many great things that Johnny was able to accomplish on The Farm, including improving the graduation rate, achieving an Academic Progress Rate of 1000, an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and two NIT championships. The student-athletes Johnny coached during his tenure at Stanford represented the University with class and humility."

Dawkins, 52, starred at Duke from 1982 to 1986 and was selected 10th overall in the NBA draft. He played in the NBA for nearly a decade before joining Mike Krzyzewski's staff in 1998.

Johnny Dawkins is out as Stanford's coach after eight seasons. John Hefti/Icon Sportswire

Dawkins took the job at Stanford in 2008. He led the Cardinal to NIT championships in 2015 and 2012.

He saved his job with a Sweet 16 appearance in 2014, but after winning the NIT in 2015, he went 15-15 this past season. Stanford was 8-10 in Pac-12 play, finishing ninth in the conference.

"I want to thank the Stanford community for playing such an important part in the lives of Tracy and I and in the lives of our four children," Dawkins said in the statement. "While I am disappointed that we could not achieve the desired high level results, I leave proud of the tremendous young men who have given their all to the program, and I know the future is bright for Stanford basketball."

Dawkins had an overall record of 156-115 in eight seasons at Stanford.