Many sports sites are reporting that Mickey Matthews has been relieved of his duties at James Madison. He had been coaching there for 15 years.

You think JMU will pull a WCU and hire our ex-coaches?

FBS Bound?

WataugaMan wrote:FBS Bound?

That's one thought I had when I first saw t he headline. Of course, they've not been especially good for the last few seasons, so that could have something to do with it, too.

WataugaMan wrote:FBS Bound?

Same thought occurred to me when I saw the first tweets come up since he's said some similar things to another coach about FBS in the past but I didn't want to say anything. Gas, Keg of Gunpowder, and a match. Bad combination.

firemoose wrote:

WataugaMan wrote:FBS Bound?

Same thought occurred to me when I saw the first tweets come up since he's said some similar things to another coach about FBS in the past but I didn't want to say anything. Gas, Keg of Gunpowder, and a match. Bad combination.

No no no... you mean.... dumb***es with a computer....bad combination.

My first thought was that this is related to their FBS aspirations. Mickey the Mouth didn't want any part of FBS.

http://www.jmusports.com/ViewArticle.db ... =209323578

JMU Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne today announced that head football coach Mickey Matthews will not be retained by the University. Matthews, who completed his 15th season with the Dukes on Saturday, had one year remaining on his contract.

“I want to thank Coach Matthews for his leadership of our football program and the many contributions he made to the University, our athletics program and specifically our football team over the past 15 years,” said Bourne. “I speak for the entire university community in wishing him and his family the best in their future endeavors.”

The Dukes completed the 2013 season with a record of 6-6 and missed the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs for the fourth time since advancing to the NCAA Semifinals in 2008.

“With today’s announcement I am also beginning an immediate, national search to identify the ideal person to lead our program,” Bourne continued. “We have everything in place, including outstanding facilities, resources and support operations, to regularly compete for a conference championship and post-season play.”

Matthews had a career record of 109-71 and led the Dukes to the 2004 National Championship.

“We will work aggressively but deliberately in this search,“ Bourne concluded. “I look forward to welcoming our next head coach to the university and our outstanding group of student-athletes. Until that time I will not have any further public comment.“

appst89 wrote:My first thought was that this is related to their FBS aspirations. Mickey the Mouth didn't want any part of FBS.

That is what the speculation here on local Richmond radio. They're saying if they were staying FCS, Matthews would have finished out his contract - he had one year left - but they want to have a new guy in place before the transition starts.

An Oakland Raiders asst has emerged as a top candidate per coachingsearch.com.