EASTERN MICHIGAN Woodruff is fourth coach to be fired

Jeff Woodruff compiled a 9-34 record in four seasons, including 1-8 this year.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) -- Eastern Michigan football coach Jeff Woodruff was fired on Monday, two days after the Eagles dropped to 1-8 with a 38-10 loss to Central Michigan.
Woodruff, who compiled a 9-34 record in four seasons, will be replaced on an interim basis by running backs coach Al Lavan.
"Jeff Woodruff has helped develop our program with quality young men, but the team is not on the competitive level that we felt we should be after four years," athletic director Dave Diles said.
Eastern Michigan has produced NFL players like Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch and Arizona offensive tackle L.J. Shelton, a first-round pick in 1999, but has failed to successfully maintain a good team. Under Woodruff, the Eagles were 3-8 in 2000, 2-9 in 2001 and 3-9 in 2002.
Said team made strides
Despite the team's 2003 record, Woodruff said his players were making strides this season.
"We all expected more wins than losses this year," Woodruff told The Associated Press. "Sometimes you just don't get your last shot, your last time to get up to bat. But these kids are going to win."
Woodruff said the players were improving on and off the field, reducing turnovers and boosting grades.
"We've got really good kids," he said.
Woodruff became the fourth Division I-A coach fired this season. Others dismissed were Carl Franks at Duke, Todd Berry at Army and John Mackovic at Arizona.
Foundation for success
Diles credited Woodruff for providing a foundation for future success, but said it didn't appear that progress was being made.
"There is always a point in the rebuilding of a football program that you believe things are moving in a positive direction competitively, and I just don't have a strong feeling that we are improving," Diles said.
Lavan will coach the final three games in the Eagles' 2003 season while a national search for Woodruff's permanent replacement takes place, Diles said.
"In naming coach Lavan as the interim head coach, we have a veteran football coach from both the professional and college ranks," Diles said. "And I am confident that he will do a great job of keeping this team together."
Lavan, 57, is in his second season at Eastern Michigan. Previously he was an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.