Victory Over Arizona Doesn’t Save Marmie’s Job

Arizona State fired football Coach Larry Marmie Wednesday after a 6-5 season highlighted by a victory over intrastate rival Arizona.

Arizona State Athletic Director Charles S. Harris said at a news conference that Marmie’s contract won’t be extended when it expires June 30. He said an “intensive search” would begin immediately for a successor.

Marmie had a four-year record of 22-21-1 with no bowl appearances. The Sun Devils finished fifth in the Pacific 10 with a 4-4 record.

The season, which included losses to Nebraska and UCLA, ended with a 37-14 victory over Arizona last Saturday.

While praising Marmie, Harris said the coach wasn’t getting the expected results.

“There needs to be a place in college athletics for a man of the character and fiber of Larry Marmie,” Harris said before adding, “I believe Arizona State University is the kind of program that ought to finish in the top third (of the Pac-10) regularly.”

Marmie became Arizona State’s coach on Jan. 5, 1988. He replaced John Cooper, who resigned to become coach at Ohio State. Marmie was Arizona State’s defensive coordinator from 1985-87 after serving as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator from 1983-84.