Sam Houston cut ties with head football coach Phil Longo on Wednesday. The university made the decision after less than two seasons. Longo led the Bearkats to a disappointing 1-7 start this fall.
A Difficult Tenure Ends
Longo finishes his tenure with a 3-17 overall record. The team went 1-11 in Conference USA play under his leadership. He previously worked as the offensive coordinator for Wisconsin. The Bearkats hired him to replace former head coach K.C. Keeler.
Athletics Director Explains Decision
Athletics director Bobby Williams released a statement regarding the coaching change. He thanked Longo for his contributions to the football program. However, Williams noted the need to evaluate the team’s performance and direction. He decided a change in leadership would help the team compete consistently.
Searching For Future Success
The program holds high expectations for its student-athletes and supporters. Former coaches Willie Fritz and Keeler previously led the team to significant success. Keeler guided the Bearkats to an FCS national championship in 2021. The university will now begin its search for a new head coach.