First-year Memphis State football coach Chuck Stobart fired six assistant coaches Monday, citing a lack of loyalty among his staff.
Stobart, whose Tiger team finished 2-9 this season, retained only three of his nine assistant coaches and released his offensive and defensive coordinators."Being a football coach is a real tough job, and there are a lot of long hard hours," Stobart said.
"Anytime you go into meeting rooms you like to be in there with people who believe in you, in what you're trying to do and who believe in the players."
Fired were defensive coordinator Pete Kuharchek, offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey, defensive end coach Jim Talbert, defensive line coach Tom Turchetta, defensive back coach Fred Manuel and running back coach Palmer Hossler.
Among the three coaches retained was wide receiver coach James Fox, the only holdover from former coach Charlie Bailey's regime.
Stobart said several former Memphis State players have expressed interest in joining his staff, including former Seattle Seahawk Keith Butler and Kansas City Chief Eric Butler.
Stobart, whose team was on NCAA probation for violations under Bailey's tenure, said he would personally take charge of recruiting.