Air Force Parts Ways With Men's Basketball Coach Joe Scott

The Falcons are 3-23 and 0-15 in Mountain West play amid a player treatment investigation.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Air Force and men's basketball coach Joe Scott have decided to mutually part ways, the school announced on Friday. Scott was suspended indefinitely last month pending an investigation into the treatment of cadet-athletes. The Falcons are 3-23 and 0-15 in Mountain West play this season, and the program is now looking for a new voice to lead a turnaround.

Why it matters

Air Force's men's basketball program has struggled in recent years, failing to finish above .500 since the 2012-13 season and not making the NCAA Tournament since 2006. The decision to part ways with Scott comes amid an investigation into player treatment, raising concerns about the program's culture and the need for a fresh approach to help the Falcons return to competitiveness.

The details

Scott was in his sixth season leading the Falcons following a first stint as Air Force's head coach from 2000 to 2004. In his initial tenure, he led the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the early 1960s. After coaching at Princeton and the University of Denver, Scott returned to Air Force in 2017. However, his second stint has been marked by the team's struggles, with the Falcons posting a 3-23 record and 0-15 conference mark this season.

  • Scott was suspended indefinitely last month pending an investigation into the treatment of cadet-athletes.
  • Air Force and Scott mutually parted ways on February 21, 2026.

The players

Joe Scott

The former head coach of the Air Force men's basketball team, who had two stints leading the program from 2000-2004 and 2017-2026.

Nathan Pine

The athletics director at the Air Force Academy, who announced the decision to part ways with Scott.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Scott's passion for the game of basketball has long been evident in his competitive and direct coaching style. It was this coaching style that guided Air Force Basketball to some of the program's most memorable achievements during his initial tenure at the Air Force Academy. This is a different day, and now is the right time for a new voice and a new approach to drive the culture and success of the men's basketball program, aligned with the Air Force Academy's mission of forging leaders of character developed to lead in our Air Force and Space Force. We thank Coach Scott for his 10 years of service to the Academy and wish him and his family well.”

— Nathan Pine, Athletics Director, Air Force Academy (Air Force Academy)

“I thank Nate Pine for his leadership. The Air Force Academy gave me my first head coaching opportunity and I am forever grateful. We will always be fans of Air Force Basketball.”

— Joe Scott (Air Force Academy)

What’s next

The Air Force Academy will now begin a search for a new head coach to lead the men's basketball program and help turn around the team's fortunes.

The takeaway

The decision to part ways with Joe Scott highlights the challenges facing the Air Force men's basketball program, which has struggled to find success in recent years. The investigation into player treatment and the need for a new approach underscore the importance of fostering a positive team culture and developing student-athletes as leaders, which is central to the Academy's mission.