Arizona splits with women's basketball coach Niya Butts

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Arizona women's basketball coach Niya Butts and her staff won't be back next season. Athletic director Greg Byrne announced the decision

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Arizona women's basketball coach Niya Butts and her staff won't be back next season.

Athletic director Greg Byrne announced the decision Tuesday and says a national coaching search will begin immediately.

Butts has coached the team for eight years and has a record of 101-146. She will coach the team in the Pac-12 Tournament, which begins Thursday in Seattle.

Butts arrived at Arizona before the 2008-09 season after five years as an assistant at Kentucky. Her best season at Arizona came in 2010-11 when the Wildcats went 21-12 and 10-8 in the Pac-12.