Merritt fired as Davidson coach
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Davidson University fired eighth-year football coach Tripp Merritt on Monday with two games remaining in a 1-8 season.
Athletic director Jim Murphy said Merritt will be released from his contract at the end of the season. Merritt had a 31-51 record at Davidson, including 22-32 in Pioneer Football League games.
Brett Hayford, a 1993 Davidson graduate who has been the associate head coach for the past eight years, will serve as the Wildcats' interim head coach until further notice.
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"We very much appreciate Tripp's dedication and commitment to our student- athletes and to Davidson College throughout his seven years as an assistant and eight years as head coach," Murphy said.
Merritt was named the 2006 PFL's co-coach of the year when Davidson finished with 6-4 overall and 5-2 PFL records.
Davidson will visit Valparaiso on Saturday and conclude its season on Nov. 17 at home against San Diego.