EAST LANSING, Mich. — As the losses piled up for Bobby Williams, his future with the Michigan State football team grew increasingly uncertain. The school ended weeks of speculation when they fired Williams, one of four black coaches among the 117 schools in Division I-A football (including New Mexico State's Tony Samuel), after Monday's practice. Williams is a former Ball State assistant and former player and graduate assistant at Purdue. "At this point, it clears the air," athletic director Ron Mason said. "If there was anybody wondering if there's going to be a new coach, well, now nobody's wondering." Offensive coordinator Morris Watts was appointed interim head coach. Mason said the university will start searching for a new head coach immediately. Mason delivered the news to Williams after practice Monday afternoon. Watts announced the news to the team a short time later. The firing came two days after the Spartans' 49-3 loss to Michigan, the school's worst in 55 years. Michigan State is 3-6 overall. Mason said he was hired to make tough decisions, but admitted this one was tougher than most. "It's not something I wanted to do," he said. "I consider Bobby a friend. I respect him so much as a person." The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from Williams at his home Monday night, but it wasn't immediately returned. Williams was Michigan State's first black football coach, and the first to lead a public Big Ten school. Mason was aware that his decision might be seen as a blow to black coaches, but said he "couldn't look at it from that perspective." "It's my job to do what's best for the program and the university," he said. Mason said a combination of factors led to his decision. On Sunday, quarterback Jeff Smoker's family announced that the suspended quarterback is battling substance abuse. The same day, tailback Dawan Moss was dismissed from the team after being arrested and accused of dragging a police officer with his car following a traffic stop. Both Smoker and Moss were captains. Defensive end Greg Taplin also has been suspended for an unspecified rule violation. Two other players have quit voluntarily. Mason said the defining moment came Saturday, when Williams was asked if he had lost his team. His response, ``I don't know.'' "If he wasn't sure, who was?" Mason said. Michigan State, which was ranked as high as 15th this season, is 1-4 in the Big Ten. The Spartans, who have lost four consecutive games by an average of 28.25 points, have three more to play this season.
Michigan State coach Bobby Williams fired
Coach falls short of MSU expectations
Published: Thursday, November 7, 2002
Updated: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 10:08
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