AKRON, OHIO - The University of Akron announced on Sunday afternoon they have dismissed head Football coach Terry Bowden after seven seasons at the school.
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In a statement, Zips Athletic Director Larry Williams said “Terry and his staff have brought respectability to the program over the last seven years. However, after undertaking a thorough review of the entire program, and in consultation with the President and Board of Trustees, it is clear that we need to make a change if we are going to consistently achieve at an even higher level.”
“I would like to thank Terry Bowden and his coaching staff for their dedication and passion to rebuilding the Akron football program and we wish him the best moving forward.”
Bowden was named the 27th head coach in UA football history in December, 2011 replacing Rob Ianello and the fifth head man since the Zips joined the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1987.
Bowden came to Akron after three seasons at Division II North Alabama. This followed 10 seasons as a college football studio and game analyst at ABC working alongside the late John Saunders.
In his own statement released on Sunday, Bowden said “I want to thank the University of Akron for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank all of my assistant coaches, support staff, and players who helped turn this program around, especially our Senior Class which was one of the most productive in our Division I history. It’s been one of the greatest joys of my life to come to Akron and build this program, but also for the great relationships I have established. I want nothing but the best for the University of Akron and all of Zips Nation”
Bowden had an overall record of 35-52 (26-33 MAC) at UA. He had one winning season, going 8-5 in 2015 which included the school’s first ever FBS bowl victory, defeating Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 23-21.
In 2017, the Zips went 7-7 winning the MAC Eastern Division title for the second time in school history but losing to Florida Atlantic in the Cherubundi Boca Raton Bowl.
The 2017 season was Bowden’s 25th as a college football head coach with stops at Division II Salem, FCS member Stamford, Auburn, North Alabama and UA, compliing a 175-114-2 overall record along the way.
Bowden is the third Mid-American Conference head coach to be relieved this season joining Mike Jinks at Bowling Green and John Bonameego at Central Michigan.
The statement did not say anything regarding the other coaches on Bowden’s staff.
Williams also said in his statement that a national search for a new head coach would begin immediately.