Eastern Michigan University Director of Athletics Derrick
Gragg has announced that head football coach Jeff Genyk
was released from his contract effective Nov. 24. He coached
the team in its final game of the 2008 season, leading
them to a wild 56-52 victory over Central Michigan University
at Rynearson Stadium Nov. 28.
 |
AFTER FIVE SEASONS: Jeff Genyk, EMU's
head
football coach for the past five seasons,
was
fired effective at the end of this season.
The
Eagles finished 3-9, with their last game of
the
season a 56-52 win over rival Central Michigan
University. |
"Earlier this morning (Nov. 24), after consulting
President Susan Martin, I informed coach Jeff Genyk of
my decision to move our football program in another direction,
at the conclusion of this season," Gragg said. "I
thanked coach Genyk for his service to EMU, and offered
him the opportunity to coach our team's final game this
week against Central Michigan University, which he has
accepted."
The 2008 season was Genyk's fifth as the head coach of
the Eagles. He finished with an 16-42 overall record
and a 13-26 Mid-American Conference mark. His best season
came in 2007 when he led the Eagles to a 4-8 overall record
and a 3-4 MAC mark, good for a tie for third in the MAC
West Division. That 2007 season also saw his team win the
Michigan MAC Trophy for the second time after the Eagles
defeated both Western Michigan and Central Michigan.
"Winning consistently in football has been a challenge
for our institution long before the arrival of coach Genyk.
I credit coach Genyk and his entire staff for working tirelessly
in attempting to improve our program," Gragg added, "but,
we have not met our aspirations for football.
"Under the leadership of the President and the Regents,
EMU is experiencing a rebirth that is being felt throughout
our campus," Gragg explained. "We have won 14
MAC championships in the last 24 months, which is a ringing
tribute to our student-athletes, coaches and staff, and
I want our football program to be part of that renaissance."
"A search for a new leader of our football program
will begin immediately," Gragg said. "We will
engage a search firm that will assist us in our process.
In addition, former University of Michigan head football
coach Lloyd Carr has agreed, at my request, to serve as
an unpaid adviser throughout our search process. I served
as Director for Compliance at the University of Michigan,
from 1997-2000, where I had the opportunity to work with
coach Carr. Carr coached at EMU and enjoys a good relationship
with me and many others within our University's leadership."
