Lickliter out as Iowa coach

Todd Lickliter is out as Iowa men's basketball coach.

The Gazette confirmed this morning with sources close to the program that Lickliter was dismissed as coach. He was 38-58 in three seasons at Iowa. Athletics Director Gary Barta has scheduled a 2:30 p.m. news conference at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Barta met with  Lickliter for about eight minutes this morning, starting at 9 a.m. Lickliter, who greeted a reporter on his way to the meeting, walked to the men's basketball suite 10 minutes later. Within five minutes he walked out of the suite and went in an opposite direction from reporters. He didn't respond when his name was called out seeking comment.

Several people inside the basketball suite looked sullen but said they were unaware of what happened. at 9:15 a.m., administrative assistant Rae Parker said Barta is locked in meetings all day. Other administrators said they were unaware of Lickliter's fate.

Lickliter signed a seven-year contract in 2007 for $1.2 million per year. He had a buyout of $600,000 per year remaining on his deal, meaning Iowa would owe him $2.4 million in three installments.

Lickliter's agent was immediately unavailable for comment.

Iowa struggled this year with a 10-22 record, the most losses in school history.