USC basketball coach Kevin O'Neill was fired Monday during an 8 a.m. PT meeting with athletic director Pat Haden and associate athletic director Steve Lopes.

"They informed me they were going in a different direction," O'Neill told ESPN.com by phone as he was driving home from the meeting. "I thanked them for the opportunity. I have nothing but great things to say about the university. It's a great place."

USC was 7-10 this season under O'Neill, including a 2-2 mark in Pac-12 play. A year ago the injury-riddled Trojans finished 6-26 and won only one conference game.