Breaking: Coach Wilson fired
The athletic department has confirmed that Columbia has released head football coach Norries Wilson with immediate effect. The news comes after the conclusion of the 2011 season, which saw the program go 1-9 overall, and 1-6 in the Ivy League. The lone win came in yesterday’s season finale against Brown. See after the jump for the entire press release from the AD.
COLUMBIA ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGE FOR FOOTBALL PROGRAM
Head Coach Norries Wilson Will Not Be Retained
NEW YORK – Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education at Columbia University, announced today that head football coach Norries Wilson has been relieved of his responsibilities, effective immediately.
“We are appreciative of the effort and hard work that Coach Wilson has contributed to the Columbia University football program over the past six years,” said Murphy. “Norries has dedicated himself tremendously to the University and our football players. Norries is a great leader of men. He did so much for the young men on our football team. His leadership is second to none.”
“Norries has accomplished a great deal in helping us rebuild a stronger foundation for Columbia Football. We thank him for his tremendous service and wish him the very best in the future. ”
Arriving on Morningside Heights in December 2005, Wilson led Columbia to a 5-5 record in the 2006 football season, the winningest season of any first-year coach in school history since the start of Ivy League play in 1956. In 2009, Wilson’s fourth season at Columbia, the Lions finished tied for fourth place in The Ivy League, their best finish since 2001. He is the only head football coach in school history to lead Columbia to victories over Princeton in consecutive seasons. Overall at Columbia, Wilson finishes with a won-loss record of 17-43, with an Ivy League record of 10-32.
Added Murphy, “Making a decision of this nature is always difficult. That said, in order to achieve the goals that we have set for the Columbia football program, we believe that it is necessary and appropriate to make a change in leadership at this time.”
Columbia will launch a national search for a new head football coach immediately.
about damn time
Guess yesterday’s win was too little too late…..
“His leadership is second to none.”
Actually his leadership is eighth to seven–all the other Ivy coaches.
someone needs to ask the AD what they mean when they say his leadership is second to none. if that’s so, why was he fired?
Are you blind? He was fired because the team went 1-9…don’t be a Smartass just because the administration was trying to be diplomatic and not fucking publically roast a guy who they are canning
This is the ivy league, the best of the best. If you do not perform to what is expected, you are fired. This will be a good change.
Actually the Ivy League is by no means “the best of the best” in football, but yet there are standards.
How about restoring Coach Ray Tellier. He recruited a top team that was taken away from him in 2002. Now, after a period as Associate Athletic Director, it’s time to give Coach Tellier the opportunity to complete his interrupted coaching career at Columbia. He has the best overall record in the last 50 years.
Get Joe Paterno
Jim Tressel? Offer him a lifetime supply of light blue sweater-vests as a signing bonus. He won’t be able to resist.
I am very impressed that the administration at Columbia cares about the football program . Like it or not, the football program is very important. A good team makes for school pride and spirit.