Henson Replaces Fired McCarthy

LAS CRUCES, N.M. —  Neil McCarthy, New Mexico State’s all-time winningest basketball coach, was stripped of coaching duties Thursday and accused of overemphasizing victory at the expense of academics.

McCarthy, 56, who had amassed 248 Aggie victories and a trip to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 12 years, will be replaced this season by former New Mexico State and Illinois Coach Lou Henson, one of the most successful Division I coaches.

Paul said McCarthy’s reassignment as an assistant athletic director came because of concerns over McCarthy’s lack of cooperation, inability to improve the program’s public image and unspecified breaches of contract.