Enterprise State Community College basketball coach Wesley Person was shocked to learn he was being fired effective Aug. 20 after showing up to a meeting with athletic director Jeffrey Coats on Tuesday.

“Before I said anything, he said, ‘As of now, your duties are no longer needed,”’ Person said when contacted Wednesday. “I have no reason why he felt that way.

“I asked and was given no explanation. I know I’ve done everything by the book.

“I don’t know what happened to get to this point.”

Person, a former Auburn and NBA standout, was entering his second year as the men’s basketball coach after spending one year as an assistant women’s coach at the school.

Efforts to reach Coats on Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful. A person answering calls for the school’s main switchboard did not confirm the firing, but did say Person would be leaving on Aug. 20.

Person said he was the one who called a meeting with the athletic director to go over plans for next season.

He said he signed 15 players this spring and already had them on campus.

“I just had gotten my players in and I wanted him (Coats) to know what my plans were,” Person said of initiating the meeting. “I wish they would have dealt with me in a professional manner. It left a sour taste in my mouth.”

Person said he took the group off campus to tell them he was no longer their coach.

“I just let them know I was done,” Person said. “They were disappointed — very emotional.”

Person said he went to Coats office again on Wednesday morning in hopes of getting an explanation, but was told Coats would not be able to see him.

Person then said Coats called him later in the day on his cell phone.

“I said, ‘Can I come into meet with you face to face?’ and he said, ‘No,’” Person said. “He said my last day is Aug. 20.”

Person stressed he was happy living in Enterprise, but does not know at this time if he’ll remain in the community.