Santiago Released
11/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 21, 2004
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin athletics director Steve McCarty announced today that Mike Santiago will not return as head coach of the Lumberjack football program. The announcement ends a six year stay for Santiago with the program.
"After a great deal of discussion and analysis, I feel that a change needs to be made in the leadership of the Lumberjack football program. Coach Santiago has worked hard over the past six years, but has failed to provide the results for which he was hired," said McCarty.
Santiago was hired in December 1998 and took over a team which went 3-8 the year before. He led the team to an 8-3 finish and a share of the Southland Conference title in 1999, but failed to qualify for the NCAA I-AA playoffs. SFA never reached the playoffs under Santiago's guidance.
Santiago entered the final year of a two year contract this season and his team was picked as one of the favorites to win the Southland Conference. However, SFA got off to an 0-3 start in Southland Conference play and finished the year with a 6-5, 1-4 record. SFA finished in fifth place in the Southland Conference race.
His teams posted a 39-27 record overall and were 21-14 in Southland Conference play.
A national search for a replacement will begin immediately. ™
