Ron "Fang" Mitchell out at Coppin State

Ron "Fang" Mitchell has a 460-459 career record in 31 seasons as a college coach. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The contract of longtime Coppin State men's basketball coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell will not be renewed, the school announced Friday.

Mitchell was the head coach at Coppin State for 28 seasons, leading the team to four NCAA tournaments and two National Invitation Tournament berths in his tenure.

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“We thank Coach Mitchell for the time and service he dedicated to Coppin State,” Director of Athletics Derrick Ramsey said. “The University decided to move in a different direction with our basketball program. We appreciate his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Perhaps the most memorable victory of Mitchell's career was in 1997, when he led the 15-seeded Eagles to a 78-65 upset victory over No. 2-seed South Carolina in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The last time Coppin State made the NCAA tournament was 2008.

Coppin State has had three straight losing seasons, including a 12-20 record (7-9 MEAC) this season, capped off by a 79-64 defeat to Morgan State in the semifinals of the MEAC tournament.