After nine seasons of coaching Auburn women’s basketball–and coming off of the worst season in program history–Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy has been fired.
Coach Flo’s squad struggled in the 2020-21 season, finishing with a 17-game losing streak, a school record. This year’s team also had no SEC victories, and only won five games. Per 247 Sports, they were the worst shooting team in the conference and rank last nationally in field goal defense.
Coach Flo finished her tenure as head coach at Auburn with a 140-138 record. Both she and Auburn Athletics Director Allen Greene shared statements following her dismissal, per WRBL.
"“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served Auburn University and the women’s basketball program for the past nine seasons,” Williams-Flournoy said. “It was a great honor and privilege and an experience I will cherish. I will forever be appreciative of our staff and student-athletes during our tenure and the way each represented Auburn with class and dignity. As a change in leadership was determined, I would like to thank President Gogue and Allen Greene for their trust in my leadership over my time here. Auburn will always hold a special place in my heart.”"
Allen Greene commended Coach Flo and her staff on their hard work, especially in a season so riddled with bumps in the road due to the Coronavirus.
"“This year was full of unexpected challenges. Coach Flo, her staff and our student-athletes should be commended for their attitude and effort in the face of disruption and adversity,” Greene said. “Our women’s basketball program under Coach Flo’s leadership consistently represented Auburn with class on and off the court, and we are grateful for her nine years of dedicated service to our student-athletes and the Auburn Family. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors.”"
While many Auburn fans think it was high time for a coaching change, others point to the issue with women’s basketball being a lack of support from the fans.
Here's where Auburn's attendance ranked in the SEC in Flo's eight years before COVID:
— Justin Lee (@ByJustinLee) March 4, 2021
2019-20 — 12th
*2018-19 — 12th
2017-18 — 9th
*2016-17 — 10th
*2015-16 — 11th
2014-15 — 11th
2013-14 — 9th
2012-13 — 8th
Asterisks are years her team went to the NCAA Tournament. https://t.co/OuGLWRc46R
The fan support was there at one time and that time was not long ago. You cannot expect fans to show up and run their heads into a block wall over and over again. This change should have happened several years ago.
— Lee B. Gibson (@Allusaguy) March 4, 2021
The new era of Auburn women’s basketball is about to begin, one with a new coach and one without Unique Thompson. Like our athletic director, we wish Coach Flo the very best of luck in whatever she chooses to do next.