Mark Price out as Charlotte 49ers coach

Former NBA player was in third season with the school

Charlotte 49ers head coach Mark Price, pictured Dec. 5, was fired by the school Thursday. (Jim Dedmon / USA TODAY Sports)

Charlotte fired four-time NBA All-Star Mark Price after two-plus seasons, the school announced Thursday.

Price, who signed a five-year deal worth $500,000 per season in 2015, posted a 30-42 overall mark and a 16-20 record in Conference USA during his time with the 49ers.

Assistant coach Houston Fancher — a former head coach at Appalachian State — will guide the 49ers (3-6) on an interim basis, the school announced.

“We appreciate all that coach Price has done for our program,” athletic director Judy Rose said in a statement. “His background and knowledge were assets to our young players and we appreciate him sharing his talents with our team. This was a difficult decision, especially as we make plans to open conference play, but we do feel it is in the best interest of our basketball program.”

Price, 53, previously had been an assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic.