Kevin Morris issued a statement on Monday after being fired from his position as the UMass Minutemen head football coach.
"I was looking forward to taking UMass to the Football Bowl Subdivision and was building the program to do just that. The players here are willing to do the work and will be ready to compete at the highest level. I am disappointed that my staff will not be able to finish what they started," said Morris. "They are an outstanding group of coaches and were tireless workers in effort to give the student-athletes the best possible college football experience. John McCutcheon felt it was time for a change and although I am disappointed with the decision, I do thank him and his staff for the opportunity to help shape the lives of UMass football players."
UMass athletics director John McCutcheon thanked Morris for his contributions to the football program, but thinks the program needs to move in a different direction.
"I thank Kevin for his hard work during his eight years with the UMass football program including the last three as head coach," said McCutcheon. "With the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mid-American Conference, I felt it was important for the program to have a new direction in leadership."
UMass finished this season at 5-6. During Morris' three seasons coaching the team, the Minutemen were 16-17, including 10-14 in Colonial Athletic Association play.