Akron fires Brookhart

AKRON (AP) — The University of Akron has fired football coach J.D. Brookhart.

Athletic director Tom Wistrcill announced the move Saturday, one day after the Zips defeated Eastern Michigan 28-21 to finish the season at 3-9.

Wistrcill said in a statement that four-straight seasons with the team finishing below .500 in the Mid-American Conference played into his decision. He said the search for a new coach would begin immediately.

Brookhart was hired in 2004 and had one year remaining on his contract.

He posted a 30-42 record at Akron and was named the MAC Coach of the Year in 2004. The Zips won the MAC East Division title and the program’s only MAC Championship in 2005, defeating Northern Illinois to earn Akron’s first bowl berth as a Division I program.