Williams Is Fired by Michigan State

Michigan State football Coach Bobby Williams was fired Monday, two days after the Spartans dropped to 3-6 with their worst loss in 55 years.

Williams, one of four black coaches among the 117 schools in Division I-A football, was informed of his firing by Athletic Director Ron Mason after Monday’s practice.

Offensive coordinator Morris Watts was appointed interim coach.

Williams had been under fire for weeks, with fans calling for his ouster.

A 49-3 loss at Michigan on Saturday dropped Michigan State, which was ranked as high as No. 15 this season, to 1-4 in the Big Ten Conference.

Since he replaced Nick Saban on Dec. 5, 1999, Williams was 16-17 overall, 6-15 in the Big Ten and 1-9 in conference road games.