Central Oklahoma fires coach, staff

(Edmond-AP) -- Long-time University of Central Oklahoma football coach Gary Howard and his staff were fired Monday after back-to-back losing seasons. <br><br>Howard and assistants Chuck Bailey, Dunne Dirk,

Monday, November 18th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Edmond-AP) -- Long-time University of Central Oklahoma football coach Gary Howard and his staff were fired Monday after back-to-back losing seasons.

Howard and assistants Chuck Bailey, Dunne Dirk, Mark Howard and Bill Massey were relieved of their duties after a meeting with athletic director Skip Wagnon and UCO President Roger Webb.

Wagnon and Webb both praised Howard, but say it's time for a change.

The Bronchos were 5-and-6 this season after going 3-and-8 last season.

Howard was 162-105-and-6 during his 26 seasons as U-C-O head coach and led UCO to the 1982 NAIA national championship.

School officials say the search for a new coach begins immediately.