DAYTONA BEACH, Fla -- Bethune-Cookman University fired its winningest head football coach Monday in Alvin B. Wyatt Sr., despite a school record 90 victories during his tenure.
The 2009 season was Wyatt's 13th as head coach of the Wildcats. He was named the school's ninth head football coach on November 27, 1996, following the retirement of legendary head coach and now senior associate director of athletics, Jack "Cy" McClairen, according to the university's Web site. He became the sixth B-CU alumnus to take over the Wildcats football program - and he has risen to become among the top winners in the FCS coaches ranks with a top 20 standing in winning percentage (.653) 85-48 overall entering this season. He was also a former player in the NFL.
B-CU Athletics Director Lynn Thompson informed Wyatt of his fate Monday, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
"It was one of the toughest situations I've ever been in professionally, having to have that conversation with Alvin Wayatt," Thompson told the newspaper. "It's been a 13-year career, that's included some great accomplishments. But after meeting with the administration, looking at the future, it was decided we needed to begin moving in another direction immediately."
Wyatt has not spoken to the media since his departure.
Among his achievements, Wyatt took the Wildcats to the NCAA playoffs in 2002, with an 11-2 record and a MEAC conference title, and again the following year with a 9-3 record.
Among his achievements, Wyatt took the Wildcats to the NCAA playoffs in 2002, with an 11-2 record and a MEAC conference title, and again the following year with a 9-3 record.
Bethune-Cookman finished this season at 5-6, with a season-ending loss 42-6 loss to Florida A&M in Saturday's Florida Classic.