Women’s Basketball Coach Dismissed At Upper Iowa

Upper Iowa is taking its women's basketball program in a different direction following six-straight seasons of futility on the court.

Head Coach Carol Russell has been relieved of her duties for the remainder of the current season and her contract will not be renewed, Upper Iowa Athletic David Miller confirmed in a press release issued by the school on Tuesday (Feb. 23, 2016).

"We wish Coach Russell the best as she moves forward and thank her for her six years of service to the program," Miller said. "We will work diligently to identify the right coach for this program."

Before her arrival at Upper Iowa in 2010, Russell was a successful head coach at Nebraska-Kearney. She guided the Lopers for eight-seasons, compiling a 163-79 record. Under Russell's leadership, Nebraska-Kearney made five trips to the NCAA Division II tournament.

That success, though, never materialized at Upper Iowa. With Russell at the helm, the Peacocks never won more than seven games in a single season. Her tenure at Upper Iowa ends with a 28-136 mark.

In announcing Russell's dismissal, Miller confirmed that Assistant Coach Mike Sybrant has been named the Peacocks' interim coach. He'll guide Upper Iowa during post-season play.

The Peacocks (5-23 overall, 3-19 NSIC-South) ended their regular season schedule with nine-straight losses, including a 73-49 setback at Wayne State (Neb.) Saturday night. Upper Iowa is a No. 7 seed in the 2016 Northern Sun Conference/Sanford Health Tournament, which starts today. The Peacocks play at No. 2 seed Minnesota State-Moorhead at 6 p.m.