ATHENS, Ga. — Dennis Felton was fired as Georgia's basketball coach Thursday, one day after the team lost by 26 points at Florida for its seventh straight defeat.

Assistant coach Pete Herrmann will be the interim coach the rest of the season. He takes over a team that is 9-11 and 0-5 in the Southeastern Conference.

"I'm disappointed that things have not worked out better," athletic director Damon Evans at a news conference. "I do think it is in the best interest of our men's basketball program that we move in a new direction. And while this may be unusual timing, I'm convinced it is the right time."

Felton had an 84-91 record and was in his sixth season at Georgia. His team won the SEC tournament last year, but was knocked out of the NCAAs in the first round. He coached five seasons at Western Kentucky before taking the Georgia job in 2003.