The move came a day after a 24-3 loss to Missouri State dropped the Bearkats to 1-7 this season.
Sam Houston State has fired head football coach Phil Longo, the university announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, less than two full seasons into his tenure.
Longo went 3-17 overall with the Bearkats, and this year's team sat at 1-7 following a 24-3 loss to Missouri State on Tuesday. The offense he was brought in to run ranked last in Conference USA.
Athletic director Bobby Williams framed the decision as a necessary reset rather than a referendum on Longo's effort. "Phil has contributed to Bearkat football as both an offensive coordinator and head coach, and we appreciate his work with our student-athletes," Williams said in a statement. "Our responsibility is to evaluate the program's performance and direction. After careful review, I believe a change in leadership is necessary to position Bearkat Football to compete consistently in Conference USA and meet the expectations of our student-athletes, university and supporters."
Longo had previously built a reputation as an offensive coordinator before taking over the program, but the results never translated to the head job. Sam Houston State now moves forward in search of new leadership as it tries to find consistency in Conference USA.