Sacramento State fires basketball coach Jerome Jenkins

3/7/2008 6:56 PM

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -Sacramento State dismissed men's basketball coach Jerome Jenkins on Friday after eight seasons.

Jenkins went 80-147 with the Hornets, who plummeted to a 4-24 record this season, finishing last in the Big Sky Conference and missing the league tournament for the second straight year. Sacramento State ended its season Monday with a 20-point home loss to Weber State.

``I believe a change in leadership is necessary to make the program more competitive in the Big Sky Conference and to create a synergy between the basketball program and the greater Sacramento community,'' said athletic director Terry Wanless. ``We appreciate the years Jerome has given to Hornet basketball.''

After going 14-41 during his first two years as head coach, Jenkins led the Hornets to four consecutive Big Sky tournament appearances, including semifinal berths in 2003 and 2006.