Awkward moment Utah State women's basketball coach Kayla Ard reveals to reporters she was FIRED immediately after losing conference tournament game... but she was still sent out to answer questions!

Firing a coach in the immediate aftermath of a loss is a cold move by sports standards. But firing a coach immediately after a game and then still sending them out to take questions is almost inhumane.

After being eliminated from the Mountain West Conference Women's Basketball Tournament, Utah State coach Kayla Ard was asked by reporters how she planned to rebuild the team going forward.

'I'm not going to be rebuilding. I just coached my last game at Utah State,' Ard replied.

'I spoke with [athletic director Diana Sabau], and they're going in a different direction, and I respect her decision and I hope they get a really good coach in.'

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Ard said, 'I'm assuming that's going to be the last question?' before walking off the stage.

Utah State women's coach Kayla Ard was fired after a loss, but was still sent to take questions

In a statement, Sabau said, 'We appreciate everything Kayla and her staff have contributed to Utah State.

'However, it is in the best interest of the program to make a change.'

Ard is coming off her fourth straight losing season with the Aggies - capping off a 5-25 campaign where her team went 2-16 in conference play.

She arrived to Utah State after serving as an assistant coach at a number of schools - most recently from the University of Denver.

In her tenure as head coach, Ard went 22-79 with Utah State and had a combined conference record of 10-62.