Head Coach David Elson’s career record at Western dropped below .500 with a loss at North Texas two weeks ago.
Barring three straight wins to finish the season, it will end that way.
Elson was told Sunday night by President Gary Ransdell and Athletic Director Wood Selig that he will not be retained after the 2009 season, which ends on Dec. 3 against Arkansas State.
“I have had the privilege of coaching at this great university for 14 years, so obviously I am very disappointed and do not agree with this decision,” Elson said in a statement. “We play a very good Louisiana-Monroe team this Saturday, and out of respect for our players, staff and entire program, this game and then our remaining two games is all we are going to focus on.”
Ransdell and Selig came to a mutual agreement to dismiss Elson on Sunday and informed the coach at Ransdell’s house that night, Selig said.
Selig said at a press conference on Monday that the firing was related to a number of factors, including a decrease in ticket sales and an apathetic feel for a program that should instead be “white-hot” with excitement.
“A fresh start at this point, with a renewed commitment, is in the best long-term interest of the program,” Selig said. “We need a new direction. We need new energy that will accompany this new direction.”
Elson will be given a $500,000 buyout promised in a four-year extension the coach received in January, Selig said. After the extension, the coach was under contract until 2016.
The Toppers have a 17-game losing streak, the longest of any team in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Elson’s only career win against an FBS team came in 2007, when Western defeated Middle Tennessee State 20-17.
Ransdell said he was aware of a growing disdain for Elson from fans, especially during a two-year transition into the FBS when the Toppers went 9-15.
“I’m not blind, and I can hear, and I do get a lot of feedback — a lot of advice,” Ransdell said. “Our objective has to be the best interest of the university — of this program.”
Ransdell said one of his main objectives is to ensure student athletes are able to excel, which was a major reason for considering a coaching change.
“We promised them as recruits that we would do everything we could to put them in a position to be successful, and this is consistent with that promise,” Ransdell said.
Feedback from current players didn’t play into the decision to fire Elson, Selig said.
Selig said the search for Western’s next coach would start Monday afternoon but wouldn’t say who any potential candidates might be or give a timetable for hiring a new coach.
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