Georgia Southern has fired Chad Lunsford four games into his fourth full season as head coach, the school announced Sunday. Cornerbacks coach Kevin Whitley has been named interim head coach.
“After a thorough review and evaluation of our football program, I have made a decision that a change in leadership is in the best interest of our team and university,” athletic director Jared Benko said in a statement. “I want to thank Coach Lunsford for his hard work and impact he has had on the student-athletes within our program. I wish Chad and his family success in the future.”
Lunsford was 28-21 in four years, but the Eagles opened this season 1-3, including a 28-20 loss to Louisiana on Saturday after blowout losses to FAU and Arkansas.
He had been with the program since 2013, spending five years as an assistant before being promoted to interim head coach in 2017. He went 2-4 but won the full-time job and won 10 games the next season.
Lunsford is the third FBS head coach to be fired this season.
(Photo: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images)
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What went wrong for Lunsford at Georgia Southern?
Chris Vannini, national writer: It hasn't been a bad run by any means. The Eagles have reached three consecutive bowl games and won 10 games in 2017 and eight games last year, but things were quickly trending in the wrong direction with this 1-3 start, and the team was outscored 136-66. Lunsford made an offensive coordinator change late last season and kept Doug Ruse in the job, but the Eagles are No. 41 in yards per rush and No. 123 in scoring offense this year. The triple-option the program is famous for just has not been clicking.
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Why make the change now?
Vannini: Georgia Southern sees Sun Belt rivals Appalachian State and Louisiana continually winning at the top of the league, and Coastal Carolina's recent ascent has pushed the Eagles down the totem pole even further. Georgia Southern's conference record has gone from 6-2 to 5-3 to 4-4, including an 0-1 start this year with Saturday's loss to Louisiana. The Eagles won six FCS national titles from 1985-2000. This is a proud program that expects to win, and it looks like the school wanted to get ahead to make sure the bottom didn't fall out.
What's next for the program?
Vannini: The Eagles host 1-3 Arkansas State this week. The final five games will be tough, with rival Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, BYU and Appalachian State to close the year.
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