University Star

Texas State head football coach Brad Wright was fired Nov. 22 following a 4-7 season.

Wright’s release comes after Texas State’s Nov. 11 announcement to join the Western Athletic Conference in the 2012 season.

“We appreciate the progress Brad has made with our program in the last four years,” said athletic director Larry Teis. “This decision was tough to make, because he is a good man and a good family man, but I felt it was necessary to make a change at this time.”

University President Denise Trauth said in the press release, “I wish Brad Wright well as we go down the road of indentifying new leadership for our football program.”

Wright signed a three-year contract extension in January guaranteeing him $190,000 per year plus winning incentives. An athletics department spokesperson said a buyout clause would be used from the contract Wright signed, but negotiations have yet to be finalized.

A nationwide search for the Bobcats’ next head coach is being conducted. Teis refused to comment on personnel matters regarding the situation.

Wright, who was Texas State’s head coach since 2007, led the Bobcats to their first outright conference championship title since 1982 and recorded the program’s first consecutive winning seasons in almost 15 years. Wright posted a 23-23 overall record during his tenure as head coach. He served as running backs and assistant head coach in 2004 under David Bailiff before being promoted to head coach.