George Chaump, whose 14-41 record as Navy's head football coach included four losses to arch-rival Army, was fired Sunday.
The final blow was a 22-20 loss to Army on Saturday, a setback that snapped Navy's bid to put together its first three-game winning streak since 1981. The Midshipmen finished the 1994 season 3-8, including a 7-0 win over Division I-AA Lafayette."There are times when a program while still making progress reaches a point where a change in leadership is necessary and that is where we find ourselves at this time," athletic director Jack Lengyel said in a statement.
Chaump refused to comment on the decision.
A replacement was not named. Virginia offensive coordinator Tom O'Brien is considered one of the favorites to land the job.
Chaump, 59, never had a winning season in his five years at the Naval Academy. The Middies were 5-6 in his first year, then suffered through two straight 1-10 seasons before going 4-7 last year.
In the days leading up to the Army game, Chaump said he had finally laid the groundwork to get the program moving in the right direction.
"We're a pretty darn good football team," he said. "I think our whole program is in good shape in every aspect. We have things in place, and now it's a matter of working hard and keeping it going."
He won't get the chance.
"George Chaump is a very fine individual and knowledgeable coach and he has gone through some difficult times as head coach at the Naval Academy," Lengyel said.