New Mexico fires head coach Craig Neal

New Mexico fired head coach Craig Neal late Friday night and will begin searching for his replacement immediately, the school announced.

"With the challenges facing (New Mexico), every decision we make must reflect the best interests of the UNM community, and in this particular case, the men's basketball program, as well as student-athletes and Lobo fans," acting president Chaouki Abdallah said. "The decision made late tonight comes after lengthy consideration in light of recent developments that cannot be ignored.

"We understand the frustration being voiced by Lobo fans and hope they will see us through this time of transition."

Four players have announced their plans to transfer out of the program this offseason.

A fan created a GoFundMe page March 28 to help raise money toward Neal's $1-million buyout if he were to be fired.

Neal started at New Mexico as an associate head coach from 2007-13 before being elevated to head coach when Steve Alford left for UCLA. He signed a six-year, $5.7-million deal in September 2014.

In four seasons, Neal compiled a record of 76-52, leading the Lobos to the NCAA tournament in 2014.

"Lobo basketball set records for GPA, graduating players, and Coach Neal ran a program that the community can be proud of. He's a good man and a winning coach, but the time has come to move Lobo basketball in a new direction," vice president for athletics Paul Krebs said.

Prior to coaching at New Mexico, Neal was an assistant with the Toronto Raptors from 2000-03 and with Iowa from 2004-07, with the latter also being on Alford's staff.