Reeling Air Force fires Reynolds after four-plus seasons

The fiery nature of Air Force basketball coach Jeff Reynolds ultimately led to his firing.

His intensity on the bench began to rub the Falcons the wrong way, zapping the fun from the game.

And that, athletic director Hans Mueh explained, was why he dismissed Reynolds on Wednesday in the middle of his fifth season in charge of the program.

Mueh reached the decision after talking with several players. He promoted assistant coach Dave Pilipovich to interim coach, hoping he could rekindle the passion on the court.

"I could care less if they don't win another game," Mueh said. "I care a lot about their atmosphere and attitude out on the floor. I want them to jump up and high-five each other. I want them to smile when they're playing.

"I can't continue to allow the athletes on the court to just go through the motions and not have fun playing the game."

Under Reynolds, the Falcons were 11-10 this season, with a 1-6 mark in the Mountain West Conference. They also suffered their worst home loss ever Jan. 31, falling to New Mexico, 81-42.

Reynolds has a 63-82 overall record at Air Force and owns a 145-116 career mark in eight-plus seasons as a head coach. He had two years left on his contract.

"With all due respect to Coach Reynolds, it was time to make a change and infuse a little bit of energy, a little bit of laughter and a little bit of fun into this program, and into those great athletes that are out there," Mueh said.

Reynolds released a statement through the academy saying, "While I am very saddened and disappointed with the decision, I do think our staff did many good things. I want to thank Dr. Mueh and the leadership at the Academy for the opportunity. I wish the program much success."

The Falcons have recently fallen on hard times, dropping six in a row. They let No. 14 UNLV off the hook on Jan. 28, falling 65-63 in overtime.

Mueh just felt he needed to rejuvenate the team.

Enter Pilipovich, who was brought in by Reynolds five years ago after a two-year stint at Michigan. He called this a bittersweet day, since he considers Reynolds a friend.

"Now, we've got to regroup and recharge and move forward, and carry this program on like we're supposed to do," Pilipovich said. "We've got great young men."

Pilipovich doesn't plan on making wholesale changes. Not this late in the season.

"We're going to continue what we do, because I think we do it well when we perform at the top of our ability," Pilipovich said.

■ CONNECTICUT -- Huskies coach Jim Calhoun will miss Saturday's game against No. 2 Syracuse while on an indefinite medical leave of absence because of spinal stenosis, a painful condition in his lower back.

The school announced Calhoun would not be at the game at Syracuse. He missed Connecticut's last two games -- a win over Seton Hall and a loss at Louisville.

Calhoun, who turns 70 in May, is scheduled to meet with specialists in the next few days to determine the best course of treatment.

He said he was feeling better Tuesday but would not be able to coach this weekend.

Calhoun has been experiencing lower back pain since last summer. The condition grew worse last week, and the Hall of Fame coach went on a medical leave of absence Friday.