LEXINGTON, Va. - VMI Athletic Director Donny White announced today that head football coach Cal McCombs has been relieved of his duties, effective 5 December, 2005.

McCombs, who completed his seventh season on Nov. 19 with a 22-14 loss against The Citadel, compiled a 19-60 record overall, including 3-8 in 2005.

"We thank Cal and his staff for the contributions they have made to the football program over the last seven years," said White. "We feel, however, that the timing is right to make a change at the head coaching position in order to move the program forward."

McCombs had a buyout clause in his contract which will be honored.

"We are very much indebted to Coach McCombs and his wife Lynne for their long service to VMI," said VMI Superintendent General J.H. Binford Peay, III. "Coach McCombs ran an ethical program, and was a valued member of the VMI family and our community. He cared deeply for his football players and his staff, the Corps of Cadets, and the Institute."

McCombs was named VMI's 28th head football coach in December, 1998 and his tenure was the third longest of any VMI football head coach since 1946. In 2002, McCombs led the Keydets to six wins, the most victories since 1981, and was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year and Virginia State Coach of the Year by the Richmond Touchdown Club. In 2003, VMI moved to the Big South Conference and posted another six-win season.

A search committee will be formed immediately to begin the process of hiring a successor.

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CAL McCOMBS RECORD AT VMI
Year Overall Conf. /Finish
1999 1-10, 0-8/ 9th SoCon
2000 2-9, 1-7/ 8th SoCon
2001 1-10, 1-7/ 8th SoCon
2002 6-6, 3-5/ 5th SoCon
2003 6-6, 2-2/ 3rd Big South
2004 0-11, 0-4/ 5th Big South
2005 3-8, 2-2/ T-3rd Big South

TOTAL 19-60, 9-35