Louisville fires athletic director Tom Jurich

Louisville took another major step in shaking the foundations of its athletics department Wednesday, as the university's board of trustees voted to terminate the contract of athletic director Tom Jurich, according to Jeff Greer of The Courier-Journal.

According to Greer, the board voted 10-3 in favor of removing Jurich, who had been placed on paid administrative leave on Sept. 27.

Jurich, along with head basketball coach Rick Pitino, were placed on leave in the wake of a corruption scandal that has rocked college basketball to its core. The university remains under federal investigation for its role in the scandal.

Jurich's attorneys later released a statement, defending Jurich's actions as AD and stating they've been instructed to "vigorously defend his rights and reputation under his long-standing contract with the University of Louisville."

Cardinals football coach Bobby Petrino previously voiced his support for Jurich following his placement on leave, calling him a "real close friend," and stating that he hoped he would retain his job.

Jurich's firing comes almost 20 years to the day of being hired for the role by the university on Oct. 21, 1997.