Georgia Southern fires Sewak

STATESBORO, Ga. - Citing a decline in Georgia Southern's football program, Eagles' athletic director Sam Baker fired coach Mike Sewak and his assistants Tuesday.

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Baker did not name an immediate successor, but former Eagle assistant Hugh Nall, now an assistant at Auburn, appears to be one of the leading candidates.

During his four years as head coach, Sewak compiled a 35-14 record, won two Southern Conference championships and advanced to the Division I-AA playoffs three times.

A year ago, Sewak was the conference Coach of the Year.

"Right, wrong, whatever, this is a program built on success," Baker said. "When you join the program, you understand that. We have expectations and they're high expectations, and those expectations over the last several years haven't been met."

In 2002, the Sewak-led Eagles advanced to the I-AA semifinals.

But in 2003, they failed to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Last season, Georgia Southern was upset by New Hampshire in the first round of the playoffs.

Last Saturday, Southern suffered a total collapse against fourth-seeded Texas State, letting a 19-point third-quarter lead slip away before losing 50-35.

"I never saw (the firing) coming," Sewak said. "We graduated a lot of kids last year and I knew it would be kind of a struggle. ... I thought we had a great win against Furman. I thought it was the type of win that might springboard us in the playoffs, but it didn't."

Sewak said he was told of his firing by Baker on Tuesday morning.

Sewak said he never had a chance to address his players as a group although several came by his office after hearing rumors later in the day.

Baker said booster pressure never entered into the decision. Georgia Southern Booster president John Mulherin echoed that fact.

"If you know Sam, he makes his own decisions," Mulherin said. "There was no pressure from (Southern Boosters). No discussions."