Eastern Michigan Fires Head Basketball Coach Stan Heath

The school parts ways with the 61-year-old coach after a 10-21 season.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Eastern Michigan University has announced that they are parting ways with head basketball coach Stan Heath. Heath, a Detroit native, posted a 57-99 record during his five seasons leading the Eagles, including a 10-21 record and 4-14 mark in the Mid-American Conference this past season. The school's athletic director expressed gratitude for Heath's commitment to the program over the years as both a player and coach, but said they will now begin a national search for their next head coach.

Why it matters

Heath's departure marks the end of his tenure at his alma mater, where he had hoped to turn the program around. Eastern Michigan has struggled in recent years, failing to make the NCAA Tournament since 1998. The school will now look to find a new leader who can revive the basketball program and generate more excitement among fans.

The details

In his five seasons as Eastern Michigan's head coach, Stan Heath compiled a 57-99 overall record and a 4-14 mark in Mid-American Conference play. This past season, the Eagles finished 10-21 overall. Heath, 61, is a Detroit native who played for Eastern Michigan in the 1980s before embarking on a lengthy coaching career that included stints at Kent State, Arkansas, and South Florida.

  • Heath was hired as Eastern Michigan's head coach in 2021.
  • The 2025-26 season was Heath's fifth and final year as the Eagles' head coach.
  • Eastern Michigan announced Heath's departure on March 8, 2026.

The players

Stan Heath

A 61-year-old basketball coach who played for Eastern Michigan in the 1980s and served as the school's head coach from 2021 to 2026.

Scott Wetherbee

The athletic director at Eastern Michigan University who announced the school's decision to part ways with Stan Heath.

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What they’re saying

“I appreciate the opportunity to coach at my alma mater. I am disappointed for our fans and the Eastern community that we were not able to reach the level of success that is possible at EMU. I wish Eastern Michigan University the best going forward.”

— Stan Heath, Former Head Coach (statenews.net)

“We are grateful for Coach Heath's commitment to this program, which spans five years as head coach and more than four decades as a student-athlete and proud alumnus of this University. He cares deeply about Eastern Michigan, and I wish him and his family the very best.”

— Scott Wetherbee, Athletic Director (statenews.net)

What’s next

Eastern Michigan will begin a national search for its next head basketball coach.

The takeaway

Stan Heath's departure from Eastern Michigan marks the end of his attempt to revive the basketball program at his alma mater. The school will now look to find a new leader who can generate more success and excitement around the Eagles' basketball team.