AP, Staff Reports
STATESBORO — Georgia Southern’s third losing season in 28 years has cost head coach Chris Hatcher and his staff their jobs.
Georgia Southern athletic director Sam Baker announced on Saturday night that Hatcher’s contract will not be renewed next season. Baker said the search for Hatcher’s replacement will begin immediately.
Hatcher was 18-15 in his three years as Georgia Southern’s head coach, including a 5-6 record this year. The Eagles finished the season with a 13-6 win over The Citadel on Saturday.
Georgia Southern finished 6-5 last season.
The Eagles failed to win consecutive games this season, and had lost three straight games before Saturday’s win. They failed to reach the postseason for the fourth straight year.
Hatcher took over as Georgia Southern’s head coach in January 2007.
Before coming to Georgia Southern, Hatcher had a very successful tenure as Valdosta State’s head coach. In seven seasons at VSU, his teams went 76-12. Hatcher led the Blazers to a Division II national championship in 2004. That same year, he was chosen Division II’s National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.
Hatcher was an assistant coach at the University of Central Florida and the University of Kentucky before returning to Valdosta State to become the head coach in 2000.
Hatcher had a stellar career as a quarterback for the Valdosta State Blazers. He set a number of school, conference and NCAA records, and won the Harlon Hill Trophy, given annually to the top football player in Division II, in 1994.
Hatcher was not available for comment.
