Harris fired as Stanford football coach

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) -- Walt Harris was fired Monday as Stanford's football coach, two days after finishing the worst season in more than four decades at the school.<br/><br/>Athletic director Bob

Monday, December 4th 2006, 12:35 pm

By: News On 6

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) -- Walt Harris was fired Monday as Stanford's football coach, two days after finishing the worst season in more than four decades at the school.

Athletic director Bob Bowlsby announced the decision after a morning meeting with Harris. The Cardinal (1-11) finished their season with a 26-17 loss to rival California in the Big Game on Saturday.

"This has been a tough year," Bowlsby said. "In some respects this decision was not made as a result of a 1-11 season as much as not seeing the progress in critical areas we would have liked to see the last two years."

Harris had a 6-17 record in the first two years of his five-year contract. Details of his buyout are being worked out. Bowlsby said he'd like to have a search for a new coach completed in two weeks.

Harris' team was devastated by injuries this season and finished with the most losses in school history and the worst record since an 0-10 mark in 1960.

The Cardinal have struggled mightily since Tyrone Willingham left for Notre Dame following the 2001 season. They have not had a winning season in five years under Buddy Teevens and Harris.