FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Athletic Director Kelley Hartley Hutton announced Friday (Feb. 26) that Purdue Fort Wayne Athletics will not renew the contract of head women's basketball coach Niecee Nelson.

In five seasons, Nelson coached the Mastodons to an overall record of 22-116 and 8-74 in league play.

"This decision is based on the team's competitive performance over Nelson's time as head coach," Hartley Hutton said.

Under Nelson's leadership, the team's grade point average improved dramatically—from a 2.63 to a 3.43 for the fall 2020 semester. Nelson was the third coach for the Mastodon women’s basketball program in the NCAA Division I era (2001-present).

She has been under fire after players and staff have made accusations of abuse include mocking players for depression, forcing players to play through injuries, and withholding food as punishment.

A national search will begin immediately to identify Nelson’s successor.