BLOOMINGTON (AP) Even a strong finish couldn”t save Cam Cameron”s job.
- Paul Wong
- Indiana”s Cam Cameron could not put together a winning season<br><br>AP PHOTO
Cameron, who was 18-37 in his five years at Indiana, was fired yesterdays as football coach even though the Hoosiers won four of their last five games.
Cameron, 40, came to Indiana in 1997 after three years as quarterbacks coach with the Washington Redskins and the previous 10 years as an assistant at Michigan. The job with the Hoosiers was his first as a head coach.
“Five years is an important time to demonstrate success on the field and in the classroom,” athletic director Michael McNeely said. “We expect to be successful on the field and in the classroom.
“There is not compelling evidence that the current direction of the football program will yield a higher level of competitive success” with Cameron, McNeely said.
Cameron, who has three years left on his contract, did not attend the news conference. He will be paid about $150,000 per year for the next three years.
A handful of players attended the news conference but stood in the back of the room with sullen expressions and did not talk about the decision.
McNeely said he made his decision Tuesday night, slept on it, then made his recommendation to Indiana President Myles Brand.
“I accept our athletic director”s assessment that the team”s on-field performance has been disappointing during Cam”s tenure,” Brand said in a statement.
Cameron”s best season was his last, when he went 5-6.