Sports

Hofstra fires Cassara following controversy-plagued season

Hofstra University announced on Friday that head basketball coach Mo Cassara would not be returning after a 7-25 season that saw five Pride players get arrested.

On Dec. 1 four players, Jimmy Hall, Dallas Anglin, Kentrell Washington and Shaquille Stokes, were charged with stealing and reselling over $20,000 worth of Apple electronics from dorms of fellow Hofstra students.

UConn transfer Jamal Coombs-McDaniel was arrested earlier this month for driving without a seatbelt and police subsequently found six marijuana cigarettes in his car. It was the second drug-related arrest for the former Huskie, who was busted for drug possession during his time with UConn.

“Unfortunately, myself and my staff have to ultimately be held accountable by some decisions made by individuals we thought were going to make better decisions than they did,” Cassara told The Post.

Cassara said that he was informed of the school’s decision Thursday night.

“Obviously, I felt we were headed in a positive direction and I was excited about the future, really, really optimistic and the character talent or our incoming recruiting class,” Cassara said. … “Nobody felt worse or slept worse or felt anguish more than me — nobody. The decision they made is something I have to respect. I’m very, very thankful and proud of my time here at Hofstra.”

Cassara took over the program in 2010-11 and compiled a 38-59 record in his three seasons as the head coach. After finishing 21-12 in his first season, including a berth in the CBI tournament, Cassara was just 17-47 over the past two seasons.

“We are very thankful to Mo Cassara for his hard work and dedication to the Hofstra Basketball program over the last three years,” Hofstra Director of Athletics Jeffrey Hathaway said. “Mo is a tireless worker and has tremendous passion for the game and the students that he coached. I personally want to thank him for his commitment to Hofstra Athletics and the University community during his tenure. We wish him the very best.”

The school has named assistant coach Patrick Sellers the interim head coach but the school will immediately begin a search for a new coach.

zbraziller@nypost.com