Audra Smith out as Clemson's Women's basketball coach after five seasons

CLEMSON -- Clemson's women's basketball program is set to make a change in leadership at the top.

Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich announced Tuesday afternoon that Clemson's head women's basketball coach Audra Smith will not return for another season.

Smith, who came to Clemson after coaching at the University of Alabama-Birmingham for nine years, completed five seasons as Clemson's head coach. She was 138-138 at UAB and compiled a 52-99 overall record leading the Tigers, 9-70 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Smith had just received a contract extension in July 2017 through 2020-21 after going 15-16, but the team's performance during the 2017-18 season didn't live up to the program's expectations. After the Tigers finished the season with an 11-19 overall record, 1-15 in conference, Clemson is looking for a "fresh perspective" and to move in a new direction.

“We appreciate everything that Coach Smith and her staff have done for our women's basketball program and for our student-athletes, but the on-court results made this decision necessary,” Radakovich said.

"We have high expectations for all our athletic programs and we need a new direction and fresh perspective in women's basketball.  We wish Audra all the best moving forward as we begin a national search for our new head coach."