Breaking news: Jim Carr out at University School

PrepHoops.com does not normally feature stories on high school basketball coaches.

But breaking news out of Davie Friday afternoon merits attention. Two-time defending FHSAA Class 5A state champion University School has fired head coach Jim Carr, according to multiple sources.

University School did not provide any specific reasoning for the move. However, Athletic Director Paul Herfurth released a statement that said in full:

As of today, Jim Carr will no longer be the head basketball coach at NSU University School. This change in leadership is in the best interest of NSU University School and its student-athletes. We will immediately begin the search for a new head coach and are confident that our school will have many talented applicants express their interest.

It marks the second time in two seasons that University School has had to replace its coach after winning the state tournament and qualifying for GEICO Nationals.

Adrian Sosa stepped down in the summer of 2018 after leading the Sharks (33-2) to a 5A state championship and within one victory of the mythical national championship at GEICO Nationals. University School fell to No. 1 Montverde Academy in an all-Florida final in New York City.

Carr, who was an assistant under Sosa, spent just one season as head coach of the Sharks. He led University School to a 27-5 season in 2018-19, culminating with a 72-46 victory over Jacksonville Andrew Jackson in the 5A state championship game.

University School would go on to play at GEICO Nationals in New York City for a second consecutive year. The Sharks were ousted in their opening quarterfinal, 65-57, by Montverde Academy.

The Sharks' starting lineup included two of the top prospects in America. Six-foot-10 All-American senior center Vernon Carey Jr. is headed to Duke next season. Scottie Barnes (6-8) is one of the top juniors in the U.S. 

University School's only other losses were to Philly Imhotep Charter (57-54) and IMG Academy (88-51) at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers; to California-power Sierra Canyon (68-52) at the Les Schwab Invitational in Portland, Ore.; and to Kansas’ Sunrise Christian (70-62) in a home game at U-School.

The Sharks could return Barnes, 2020 guard Roger McFarlane, 2020 forward Jace Howard and 2022 guard Jett Howard, among others, in 2019-2020.

Prior to coming to University School Carr was a longtime college basketball assistant. The Freeland, Pa., native coached at Rhode Island, Rutgers and Fairleigh Dickinson.

If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via text at 954-661-9671.