Oliver Purnell resigns at DePaul

DePaul has parted ways with coach Oliver Purnell after five seasons.

Purnell, 61, had his best season with the Blue Demons in 2014-15, going 12-20 and 6-12 in the Big East, but it was not enough to save his job as he lost his final eight games. Purnell finished 54-105 at DePaul, including a 15-75 record in the league. The Blue Demons finished at the bottom of the standings in each of his first four seasons.

"It is my best interest and my family's best interest to resign as head coach of the DePaul basketball program," Purnell said in a statement. "We made progress here and improved with the talent and character of our student-athletes. DePaul provided complete support and is fully committed to its basketball program with its budget, the on-campus facilities and in the future with the new events center. I would like to personally thank the University community, fans and student body for their support and thank the student-athletes for their efforts over the last five years."

Purnell has been a head coach at five schools since starting at Radford in 1988. In 19 seasons at Old Dominion, Dayton and Clemson, Purnell made six NCAA tournament appearances and eight NIT appearances. He never won an NCAA tournament game.

He also spent time as an assistant coach at Maryland and his alma mater, Old Dominion.

Purnell was given a seven-year contract by DePaul and athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto when she hired him in 2010.