Philadelphia, PA – The wheels continue to turn aross FCS coaching circles.
Appalachian State's announcement Sunday that 24-year head coach Jerry Moore will not return next season continued what usually is a busy time of the year, when schools are conducting national searches to replace fired or retiring coaches or those moving on to other schools.
The weekend began with Jacksonville State athletic director Warren Koegel announcing Jack Crowe was released from the remaining two years of his contract. The Gamecocks posted an 87-57 record and won three Ohio Valley Conference championships during Crowe's 13 seasons, but they failed to make the FCS playoffs this year for a second straight season.
Indiana State's Trent Miles was hired this weekend to replace the retiring Bill Curry at Georgia State as the Panthers begin their transition from the FCS to FBS level. Miles led Indiana State's once-moribound program to three straight winning records the last three years.
The Appalachian State change was surprising considering the legendary Moore wanted to return for another season next year. He is out as the winningest coach in Southern Conference history, having posted a 215-87 record, 10 conference titles and three straight NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship seasons from 2005-07 during his tenure.
Recently, Mike Minter replaced Dale Steele at Campbell and Jody Sears had his interim tag removed at Weber State.
Other FCS programs looking to replace coaches are Davidson (Tripp Merritt), Florida A&M (Joe Taylor), Morehead State (Matt Ballard), Northwestern State (Bradley Dale Peveto) and Southern (Stump Mitchell).
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