Tulsa firing head coach Philip Montgomery

Tulsa is firing head coach Philip Montgomery, sources tell On3.

The Golden Hurricane staff was informed of the news during a staff meeting that began around 4 p.m. CT, per sources.

Montgomery was 43-53 in eight seasons as Tulsa’s head coach, including 5-7 this year.

The team started 3-7, including 1-5 in AAC play, before winning its final two games over USF and Houston.

Montgomery, a former Baylor offensive coordinator, had been at Tulsa since 2015. His best season came during his second year when he led the Golden Hurricane to a 10-3 record. Tulsa has since finished four of the last six seasons with losing records.

Update (4:40 p.m. CT): Tulsa has confirmed the firing of Montgomery.

“I’m certainly disappointed that I won’t have the opportunity to continue leading this program,” Montgomery said in a statement. “For the past eight years, I’ve given the University of Tulsa, our players, and staff everything I have. I’m proud of the way we locked arms and battled through adversity at every turn.”

Tulsa athletics director Rick Dickson summed up the move as “an extremely difficult decision, one that affects a number of individuals and is never easy for anyone involved.”

“Philip’s dedication to our student-athletes is unquestioned and we thank him for his tireless efforts in leading our young men,” he added. “He has represented TU with class and character.”