Kramer's Contract Terminated
5/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
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 drug-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.
"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 drug-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.
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