COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : Michigan State Fires Tearful Perles

George Perles, wiping away tears, was fired as Michigan State’s football coach Tuesday by a university president tired of losing.

Peter McPherson, Michigan State’s president, said Perles would coach the last two games of the season. The Spartans are 4-5 this season and 72-61-4 in his 12 seasons.

Perles, 59, who has three years remaining on his contract, was asked to resign. He refused and it will cost the university about $1.3 million to buy out his contract.

“Is this in the best interest of Michigan State? There’s two sides to that,” Perles said. “I have a lot of energy left and would still like to coach. But, I’m not being given that chance. I don’t want to create any controversy. So I’m going out as a good guy.”

Perles has always bragged about running a clean program, but in recent weeks, Roosevelt Wagner, a former player, claimed some Spartan football players received cash and had grades fixed to meet eligibility requirements. Perles has denied any wrongdoing.