DeKalb | Northern Illinois University has fired basketball coach Rob Judson, citing a lack of success with the program, the school announced Saturday.

Judson, 49, had one year left on his contract. He arrived at NIU in 2001 and had a 74-101 career record with the Huskies.

NIU ended the 2006-2007 season with a 7-23 record and a first-round exit in the Mid-American Conference tournament. Last season the team had a 17-14 record and won the MAC West Division title.

“This was a difficult decision,” said NIU Athletic Director Jim Phillips. “While our program has made strides in many areas under Coach Judson and his staff, we have not sustained the levels of competitive success and support necessary to continue on this path. Therefore I felt that a change was necessary.”

A search for Judson’s successor will begin immediately, Phillips said.

“There is no predetermined timeline set for the search process,” he said. “Our goal is to secure the very best person capable of meeting the high expectations of our program.”

Judson was the 25th men’s basketball coach in the school’s history. The team had two seniors on its 14-man roster.

A phone message left Saturday at a phone number registered to a Robert Judson in DeKalb was not immediately returned.