Posted by ESPN.com’s Graham Watson

Memphis coach Tommy West will coach the final three games of this season despite being relieved of his duties early Monday morning.

Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson said the search for a new head coach would begin immediately, but that he asked West to finish out the season.

“I would ask every Tiger fan to attend Saturday’s game against UAB as a tribute to not only Coach West, but our seniors who have meant so much to our program,” Johnson said in a statement.

“The search will start immediately for a new head coach and I will assure you that I have not hired a coach nor do I have one in my back pocket that I will bring in tomorrow. I would like to move as fast as possible for the sake of recruiting, but will not be able to address media questions on a regular basis until the search has been completed.”

West has been with the Tigers since 2001 and has led them to a bowl appearance five of the past six seasons. In 2003, he guided the Tigers to their first bowl game in 32 years. He’s also the second head coach in school history to win seven or more games in three consecutive seasons.

West spoke at a news conference after the school's announcement.

"Sometimes as a head coach you can't say things because if you do it's kind of sour grapes,'' West said. "You can't say the way it is.

"Now is the time to stand up for your university and your football program. I'm the seventh straight coach that stands here saying the same things to you. This is the seventh straight time this has happened.''

Despite all of West's accomplishments, Memphis hasn’t lived up to expectations this season, especially with a roster loaded with transfers from automatic qualifying schools. The Tigers are 2-7 this season and have just one Conference USA win. But the Tigers also have gone through several injuries that have stunted their offensive production this season.

"At some point in time you've got to say, 'We've got to help this football program,'" West said. "'We've got to do the things necessary to make this what we want it or do away with it.' I couldn't say that as a coach. It's too painful. It's painful for coaches, for players and for fans. Put something in it or do away with it.''