Veteran Missouri softball coach fired

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Longtime Missouri softball coach Ehren Earleywine was fired Friday, with athletic director Jim Sterk saying the university had lost confidence in his ability to foster a "healthy environment" for players.

The firing occurred less than two weeks before the season-opener against San Jose State at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona, on Feb. 8. The university said in a news release that an interim coach is expected to be appointed next week. Earleywine, who makes $182,000 annually, will be paid through the end of his contract, which expires June 30.

There were no working phone numbers for Earleywine, who could not be reached for comment.