AUSTIN (AP) – The Texas Longhorns are not renewing the contract of longtime assistant coach and former player Tommy Harmon after missing the NCAA baseball tournament for the first time in 14 years.

Texas coach Augie Garrido said the move announced Wednesday was “the most difficult decision I ever had to make.”

The 63-year-old Harmon joined the Texas staff in 1989 under former head coach Cliff Gustafson, who named Harmon his starting catcher when he took over the Longhorns in 1968.

Harmon was drafted in 1970 and spent eight years in the Kansas City and St. Louis organizations.

Garrido named Harmon recruiting coordinator during his first season in 1997. Texas made nine trips to the College World Series with Harmon on staff.

The Longhorns lost four of their last five and finished 30-22.

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