Johns out as Gators softball coach

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Florida fired softball coach Karen Johns on Friday, less than a week after the Gators were swept out of the postseason.<br> <br> This season, Johns led the Gators (41-23) to one of their best records in her five-year tenure, but the Gators had quick two-game exits at the Southeastern Conference Tournament and the NCAA regionals this month, both held in Gainesville.<br> <br> The Gators struggled with a 3-8 record in the postseason under Johns, who led Florida to NCAA Tournament berths in four of her five seasons.<br> <br> ``After an honest and open evaluation of the program, it became evident that this program was not achieving the success that we envisioned,&#39;&#39; athletic director Jeremy Foley said. ``I feel a change in leadership is necessary to have the Gator softball program be in a position to consistently rank among the nation&#39;s best.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Johns was 192-131 in five season at Florida, where she took over in 2001 after serving as an assistant at Alabama.<br> <br> The search for a replacement will begin immediately, Foley said.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)