Johnson, Casey dismissed at Fairfield, Niagara

Sydney Johnson was fired Monday after eight seasons at Fairfield, the first of two MAAC coaching vacancies to be created, as Chris Casey was also let go at Niagara. (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference coaching carousel has started up once more.

Two MAAC coaches were relieved of their duties Monday morning, approximately a half-hour apart, as Sydney Johnson was fired after eight seasons at Fairfield while Niagara parted ways with Chris Casey after six seasons.

Johnson, 44, had received a contract extension that would have taken him through the 2020-21 season, but after a 116-147 record at the helm of the Stags since replacing Ed Cooley in 2011, was shown the door just one season removed from coaching in a MAAC championship game. During his time at Fairfield, he coached 17 all-conference honorees, and developed the program's all-time leading scorer, Tyler Nelson, for four years before the Massachusetts native took his talents to the professional ranks. His final campaign concluded with a 9-22 mark following a 57-53 loss to Manhattan in the opening round of the MAAC tournament this past Thursday.

"I can't thank Fairfield University, Mark Nemec, and Paul Schlickmann enough for the opportunity I was given to lead the men's basketball program," Johnson said in a release issued Monday. "My family and I will always be indebted to Stag Nation for the memories over the years. I wish our student-athletes, alumni and fans all the best moving forward."

Fairfield will use the search firm of Ventura Partners, Inc. to help coordinate the process of hiring Johnson's successor.

Casey departs Niagara with a record of 64-129 in his half-dozen seasons since replacing Joe Mihalich, who left Monteagle Ridge for Hofstra. The highlight of Casey's tenure came last season, when the Purple Eagles finished 19-14, and 12-6 in MAAC play, good enough to finish third in the conference and participate in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Casey also coached the Co-Player of the Year in 2017-18, as point guard Kahlil Dukes split the honor with Jermaine Crumpton of Canisius.

"Chris Casey is a man of integrity, and he was 100 percent committed to Niagara University during his time as head coach of our storied men's basketball program," Niagara athletic director Simon Gray said in a release. "Chris worked tirelessly, but we were not able to sustain success over the six years of his tenure."

It is not yet known as to whether Niagara will employ a search firm to assist in the hire of its next men's basketball coach.