Report: Xavier makes coaching change after missing NCAA Tournament

Xavier is choosing to move on from head coach Travis Steele after missing the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. According to Rick Broering of Musketeer Report, Xavier and Steele have mutually agreed to part ways.

“BREAKING: Xavier and head coach Travis Steele have mutually agreed to part ways effective immediately,” tweeted Broering. “Xavier will start a national coaching search immediately.”

While Xavier went 19-13 this season, their performance in the Big East cost them. The Musketeers were a lowly 8-11 within their conference, and it hampered their chances of being selected for the NCAA Tournament. Instead, the were invited to the 2022 National Invitation Tournament.

Prior to taking over the program in 2018, Travis Steele was an assistant for the Musketeers since 2009. Now, the coach is moving on from Xavier after over a decade of service.

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In four seasons at the helm of Xavier, Travis Steele led the Musketeers to a 70-50 record. However, the real detriment to his time in Cincinnati was his inability to find victories in the Big East. In conference play, Xavier accumulated a 31-37 record under Steele’s watch.

Prior, Xavier was one of the top teams in the Big East under the direction of former Louisville coach Chris Mack. In five seasons in the Big East Conference under Mack’s leadership, Xavier amassed a 57-33 record. Additionally, the Musketeers won the Big East regular season title on their way to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2018.

Once Mack left for Louisville following the aforementioned tremendous season, Travis Steele was expected to continue the success. However, he never could recapture the magic of that season — or even come close.

Now, Steele and the program are going their separate ways. The former Musketeers coach will be venturing outside his normal, while Xavier will be looking for a coach to get them back on track.