Auburn men's basketball head coach Cliff Ellis was officially relieved of his duties during a Thursday morning meeting with interim President Ed Richardson.

"I met with Coach Ellis this morning and informed him that a change in the leadership of our basketball program was needed," Richardson said. "My evaluation of the program indicates to me that we need to move in a different direction."

The firing also includes Ellis' entire staff and comes on the heels of a 14-14 overall record and 5-11 in the SEC. Auburn is also waiting for a decision on a NCAA investigation into one former and one current assistant coach.

Auburn expects a ruling from the NCAA Committe of Infractions within the next few weeks.

Ellis, 58, compiled a 186-125 record in 10 years at Auburn, which included seven post season tournaments and only one losing season.

"The players we recruited have set a new mark of success for winning at Auburn that put us near the top in the SEC in terms of games won and trips to the NCAA Tournament," Ellis said. "That is why this decision by the Auburn administration is so disappointing. I can only say that I have put my heart and soul into this program and I am very proud of the character and class of our players, coaches and loyal alumni who have supported us from beginning to end."

Ellis' best season was 1998-99, when he led the Tigers to a 29-4 record, an SEC Championship and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He also took the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in 1999-2000 and 2002-03, won SEC Coach of the Year awards in 1995 and 1999 and was selected National Coach of the Year in 1999.

"I am aware of the many accomplishments of Coach Ellis in his tenure here. I appreciate what he has done with the program. It is simply time for a change," Richardson explained.

Auburn will move quickly to identify potential replacements for Ellis according to Richardson.

Ellis, who has five years left on his contract, will receive a $750,000 buyout from the university.

In his 32-year coaching career, including 29 has a D-I head coach, Ellis has a 534-337 record.