LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- New Mexico State reassigned suspended women's basketball coach Nikita Lowry following months of discussions and accusations about the coach's behavior.

Athletic Director Brian Faison announced Monday that Lowry was no longer coach and had been assigned to duties as an assistant athletic director.

"We've had drawn-out, protracted discussions and we've had several points where we had an agreement ... and things have changed,'' he said in a telephone interview.

"Within her contract (is a provision that) allows me to reassign her,'' he said.

Faison said the move was the best way for the program to move forward.

Lowry was placed on administrative leave Dec. 20. At the time, Faison said it was because of philosophical differences and coaching management issues. All three of her assistant coaches have resigned, Faison said.

On Sunday, several NMSU players talked about their grievances with the coach at a school-arranged news conference. One player said the coach grabbed her by the hair during practice. Another alleged the coach her run until she collapsed even though she was ill.

Lowry later said she did not know the player was sick until after she was hospitalized. She said she does not recall the hair-pulling incident.

Faison said the school will immediately start a national search for a new coach. Elmer Chavez, an assistant to the men's basketball coach, is interim coach.

Lowry's lawyer, Tim Stoner, has said agreements reached between Lowry and NMSU officials contained conditions that she could not accept.

Lowry did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Monday night.