VMI reassigns basketball coach

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) Virginia Military Institute reassigned men's basketball coach Bart Bellairs on Monday, two days after the Keydets finished with a losing record for the ninth time in his 11 seasons.

Athletic director Donny White, who announced the reassignment, said he would head a committee to find a successor.

"It was a difficult decision, but I felt we needed a new direction and leadership," White said in a statement.

Bellairs, who compiled a record of 116-191, has 5 years left on his current contract. He will coordinate management of Big South Conference marketing contracts for VMI, among other duties, the school said.

The Keydets beat High Point 69-61 on Saturday to finish the season 9-18, 3-13 in the Big South. They were the only team in the nine-school league not to qualify for the postseason tournament.