Utah State's loss to Boise State in the Mountain West tournament on Sunday marked the end of its 2023-24 season and Kayla Ard's tenure with the team.
Ard arrived to her postgame press conference after her Aggies lost by a score of 85-49. She wasn't there for long, however, as she revealed that she had been fired moments earlier.
"How do you plan to rebuild for next season?" a reporter asked.
"I'm not going to be rebuilding. I just coached my last game at Utah State," she said. "I spoke with (athletic director) Diana (Sabau) and they are going in a different direction. And I respect the decision and I hope they get a really good coach."
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
She then turned to a moderator, saying, "I'm assuming that is going to be the last question" before walking off.
Ard was Utah State's women's basketball coach for four seasons and brought the team to a 24-90 record, including a 10-62 mark in Mountain West play. The Aggies went 5-25 overall and 2-16 in conference play in 2023-24 before falling in the conference tournament.
NCAAB
"We appreciate everything Kayla and her staff have contributed to Utah State," Sabau said in a statement. "However, it is in the best interest of the program to make a change."
Utah State said it would begin the search for Ard's replacement immediately.
