Lincoln University has fired Mike Jones as football head coach. The announcement was made by athletic director John Moseley on Sunday night in a press release.
"Making a change at head coach at any point, much less in the middle of the season, is never an easy decision," Moseley said in the release. "In terms of our goals for the football program, however, Coach Jones and I agree that we are not where we need to be, and I believe that making this decision now will put us on a path towards reaching those goals."
The firing was announced less than 24 hours after Lincoln suffered a 37-0 loss against Truman State in Kirksville. The Blue Tigers have an 0-4 record in 2016 and were picked to finish last in the Great Lake Valley Conference preseason coaches poll.
Lincoln has lost 14 consecutive games dating back to last season, the last win coming in the 2015 season opener against Langston.
Jones was in his sixth season with the Blue Tigers and compiled an 8-51 record during his tenure. Lincoln's best finish under Jones was in 2013, when it posted a 3-8 record.
Jones has the longest tenure as Lincoln head coach since Dwight T. Reed held the position from 1949-72. He was the 21st head coach in the history of Lincoln football program.
"I want to thank Dr. Kevin Rome and the Lincoln University family for the honor of being the Blue Tigers' head football coach," Jones said in the press release. "I want to thank all of the young men that I've had the distinct honor of coaching. I love you guys and I wish nothing but the best for you."
Jones became head coach prior to the 2011 season, when the Blue Tigers rejoined the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. He led Lincoln in the transition from the MIAA to the GLVC for the 2014 season. Lincoln posted a 4-45 record in conference play under Jones and has lost 16 straight games in GLVC play following Saturday night's defeat.
Jones was the fifth Lincoln head coach since the school revived the football program for the 2000 season. Jack Bush coached the Blue Tigers in 2000-01, followed by Fred Manuel (2002-04), Lemar Parrish (2005-08), Nate Cochran (2009-10) and Thomas Howard (2010).
Since 2000, Lincoln has compiled a record of 25-134.
A former Missouri football player, Jones played 12 seasons in the NFL. He is remembered for his tackle of Tennessee Titans receiver Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XXXIV, preserving the win for the St. Louis Rams. The play has been referenced as "The Tackle."
"You would be hard-pressed to find a better person than Mike Jones," Moseley said. "He has cared deeply for his players, and that feeling is mutual. We thank him for all that he has done for our university and our football program. We are committed to success in all of our athletic programs and we are confident that we will identify and select a head coach that can get us there."
Lincoln assistant coach Lee Johnson has been promoted to the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Lincoln's next game is 2 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Lane at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
A national search will begin immediately for Jones' replacement.
The news of Jones' departure continues a string of changes within the Lincoln athletic department spanning the past five months.
In May, the Lincoln athletic department announced it would drop baseball and women's tennis at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. Reasons for that decision included budget concerns, expectations for success, student-athlete experiences and facility needs.
Last season, the Lincoln baseball team finished with a 1-49 record and the women's tennis team was 0-12.
However, the programs were not cut solely because of their performance on the field or on the court. Dropping the programs freed up scholarship money that would be transferred to other programs, including football.