New Mexico State fires men's basketball coach Greg Heiar

New Mexico State fired first-year men's basketball coach Greg Heiar on Tuesday, days after the school canceled the remainder of the team's season upon learning of hazing allegations involving members of the team.

Chancellor Dan E. Arvizu made the announcement Tuesday evening in a letter sent to the school community. Arvizu said that athletic director Mario Moccia informed Heiar of the decision Tuesday afternoon.

«As I've stated previously, hazing has no place on our campus, and those found responsible will be held accountable for their actions,» Arvizu wrote in the letter. «I am committed to the safety and well-being of all members of our campus community, as well as to the integrity of our university.»

Arvizu said the university «will work to ensure we fully understand what happened here» through an «expansive review and full investigation.»

«We will also ensure that support systems are in place to prevent this from happening again,» Arvizu said.

Heiar and his coaching staff had been placed on paid administrative leave Friday, when the university first announced that the Aggies' game Saturday at Cal Baptist had been canceled and that the season had been suspended. Arvizu confirmed over the weekend that the decision was made because of hazing allegations within the program.

In his announcement Tuesday, Arvizu said that decisions regarding the employment of the remaining coaching staff will be made after the investigations are concluded.

New Mexico State was 9-15 and 2-10 in the Western Athletic Conference under Heiar.