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CEDAR CITY, Utah, Nov. 19 - Southern Utah University head football coach Wes Meier will not have his contract renewed for the 2008 season, SUU Director of Athletics Ken Beazer announced today.
The search for a new coach will begin immediately.
"This was a difficult decision for me but I believe the time is right to make a change in the overall focus and direction in our football program," Beazer said. "We have raised the bar in many areas and have placed high expectations on all of our programs.
"I appreciate the years of service Coach Meier has given to Southern Utah University and to our athletics department," Beazer went on to say. "His good character has truly left a positive mark on our football program and we wish him well."
Meier, a former Thunderbird defensive lineman who just completed his fourth season as head coach and his fifth overall on the SUU staff, compiled a 10-33 overall record during his career at SUU.
"I would like to first and foremost thank my staff, who stuck in and worked hard to move this program forward," Meier said. "We can all keep our heads up knowing we left this program much better off than when we started here.
"I want to thank my players for keeping the never-quit-fighting spirit," Meier went on to say. "All we did was look at it as a possible opportunity to get better, and we did get better. I love the guys and I'm going to miss working with them.
"We have some tremendous fans and I want to thank them for their support," he added. "The coaches and the team can't say enough about how much they mean to us."
Beazer said Meier's staff will remain in place until a new head coach is hired. At that time it will be the new coach's decision to retain any or all of the current staff.
