BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Montana State University Athletic Director
Peter Fields announced Friday that the University is exercising its
option to terminate the contract of Mike Kramer, MSU's head football
coach for the past seven seasons.
"Looking at the football program as a whole and in light of the
recent criminal activities of former student-athletes connected to it,"
Fields said, "I believe there is something broken with our football
program, and we need to take decisive steps to fix it."
Fields met with MSU President Geoff Gamble and Vice President
for Student Affairs Allen Yarnell on Friday. He said Gamble and Yarnell
concurred that the cumulative effects of the program's troubles pointed
to a "crisis in leadership" in Bobcat football.
"It starts with leadership," Fields said. "When you look at our
football program's recent history, it is apparent that its direction
does not fit with what this University is all about."
Kramer compiled a 40-43 record at Montana State, the
third-highest win total in school history. He led the Bobcats to three
of Big Sky Championships (2002, 2003, 2005), and three NCAA playoff
appearances. The 2006 Bobcats recorded the school's first post-season
win in 22 years, and finished the season ranked 10th in the NCAA
Football Championship Subdivision. MSU has dealt with a series of
criminal events related to its football program in recent years,
beginning with the arrest of assistant coach Joe O'Brien on -related
charges in 2003.
Fields indicated Montana State University will comply with the
terms of Kramer's contract regarding termination of employment without
cause and will make those payments required under the contract to
Kramer. Fields also indicated that the university will initiate an
expedited search for a new head coach and hopes to be able to move
quickly to have a new coach on board.
-msu-