Samuel fired as Southeast Missouri State football coach

Nov 26, 2013 - 8:20 PM Cape Girardeau, MO (Sports Network) - Three years after being named the FCS coach of the year, Tony Samuel was fired as Southeast Missouri State's head football coach on Tuesday.

Southeast Missouri finished 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference this year. It was the Redhawks' third straight three-win season.

Samuel, who had two years remaining on his contract, was 31-60 in eight seasons with the Redhawks.

"After conducting a review of the 2013 season, I felt it was the appropriate time to make a change in the leadership of our football program," athletic director Mark Alnutt said. "I want to thank Tony for his eight years of service at Southeast Missouri State University and wish him the best with his future endeavors."

The highlight of Samuel's coaching tenure was the 2010 season, when Southeast Missouri finished 9-3, won its first-ever OVC title and qualified for the FCS playoffs. Samuel was the Eddie Robinson Award recipient.

After the 2010 season, Samuel received a five-year contract extension.