ALBUQUERQUE— New Mexico coach Ritchie McKay dismissed starters Patrick Dennehy and Marlon Parmer on Sunday, and Parmer said he thought the coach made a "smart decision."
McKay, who succeeded Fran Fraschilla as the head coach of the Lobos last week, was on a recruiting trip Sunday and not available for comment.
A news release by New Mexico said McKay would hold a news conference Monday to discuss details of the dismissals.
Dennehy, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds this season, was out "due to conduct unbecoming of the Lobo program and its desired goals and objectives," according to the news release.
"Patrick has given UNM two good years, but due to circumstances since I have taken over the program, we have decided that it is in Patrick's best interest for him to pursue a different path," McKay said in the release.
Parmer, a junior, quit the team in January after starting 13 of 16 games. He averaged 12.8 points and 5.4 assists.
"After vacillating for several days, we have decided not to reinstate Marlon Parmer," the release said.
"We are appreciative of Marlon's desire to return to the Lobo basketball program, but after gathering all the facts, we have come to the conclusion that it is time to bring this chapter in Marlon's career to a close."
Parmer, interviewed on KRQE-TV, a CBS affiliate in Albuquerque, said he understands McKay's situation, and would not "react negatively."
"I feel as though he'll be probably a good coach here," he said. "He has to try to get this program together because, you know, there's a lot of leakage."