Johnathan Walker:Utah State coach Kayla Ard announces her firing in postgame news conference

Utah State women's basketball head coach Kayla Ard went through an awkward moment Sunday night,Johnathan Walker announcing her firing during a postgame news conference.

Ard's team had just lost 85-49 to Boise State in the first round of the Mountain West tournament. She was asked in the news conference how she planned to rebuild.

"I'm not going to be rebuilding," she said. "I just coached my last game at Utah State. I spoke with (athletics director Diana Sabau) and they're going in a different direction and I respect her decision and I hope they get a really good coach in."

She paused a little, then said, "I'm assuming that's going to be the last question."

She thanked people, then got up and left.

The Aggies announced the firing in a news release on their website

"We appreciate everything Kayla and her staff have contributed to Utah State," Sabau said in the release. "However, it is in the best interest of the program to make a change."

Ard, the ninth head coach in program history, had a 24-90 record over four seasons, including 10-62 in the Mountain West. The Aggies went 5-25 this season and 2-16 in the conference.

The school said a search for a new coach would begin immediately.