Avery Johnson’s ho-hum four-year tenure as the Alabama head basketball coach could soon be coming to an end after the team lost to Norfolk State in the NIT Tournament this week.
According to Michael Casagrande of AL.com, Johnson and officials with the Crimson Tide are currently negotiating a buyout.
“The school and Johnson are currently negotiating a buyout for what would be a mutually agreed upon parting of ways,” the report read. “The discussions remain active a day after the Crimson Tide season ended in the NIT.”
If this is indeed the end of the line, it would be pretty bitter for the 53-year-old Johnson.
The hope in Tuscaloosa when he was hired back in 2015 was that a high-profile coach such as Johnson could lead Alabama back to national prominence.
Through four seasons, he posted a pedestrian 75-62 record with Bama’s sole NCAA Tournament appearance concluding in a second-round loss last season.
It’s not yet known what Johnson’s future might bring. Following his playing days, Johnson coached both the Mavericks and Nets — leading the former to the NBA Finals in 2006.