Bob Dukiet Fired as Marquette Cage Coach After 2 Bad Seasons

MILWAUKEE — Bob Dukiet was fired today as Marquette basketball coach after two consecutive losing seasons and several conflicts with players.

Athletic Director Bill Cords said in a news release that Dukiet had been offered the position of assistant to the athletic director for the remaining three years of his contract.

“This change in position is not meant as a personal or individual criticism of Bob Dukiet,” Cords said. “We appreciate the energy and effort he has brought to his duties.”

Published reports named possible candidates for the coaching position as former Indiana and NBA standout Quinn Buckner, Creighton coach Tony Barone, Wisconsin-Milwaukee coach Steve Antrim, Syracuse assistant Bernie Fine, DePaul assistant Jim Molinari and Texas-San Antonio coach Ken Burmeister.

Dukiet could not be reached for comment today, but he told a Milwaukee television station Wednesday night that he would restrict comment until he had conferred with his lawyer.

Dukiet, 41, was hired by Marquette in 1986. In three seasons, he compiled a 39-46 record, including 10-18 two years ago, the university’s worst in 23 years.

The Warriors ended the season last week with a 13-15 record.