Nov. 20, 2006

Pocatello, ID --- Director of Athletics Paul A. Bubb has announced that Larry Lewis has been terminated as head football coach, effective immediately, by a non-renew of his current employment contact and termination of the current multi-year Employment Agreement. Bubb and Idaho State University President Dr. Arthur C. Vailas made an announcement at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

Lewis was the head coach for the Bengals for eight seasons, going 40-49 over that time. The Bengals are coming off of a 2-9 season, equaling their worst record since the 1988 season when ISU went 0-11.

In addition, all current assistant coaches have been notified of the non-renew of their current employment contracts which expire on January 27, 2007.

"In the best interest of the football program I believe a major change is necessary to return the program to a level we previously enjoyed," stated Paul A. Bubb, Director of Athletics. "After visiting with President Vailas and receiving his support of this recommendation, I believed it was important to move quickly and begin an immediate search for a new head coach."

In the best interest of the football program I believe a major change is necessary to return the program to a level we previously enjoyed. Director of Athletics Paul A. Bubb

Bubb added, "Decisions like this are never easy, and this was certainly true in this case. While I respect a number of things Coach Lewis and this staff have accomplished, the recent records have not met expectations and I believe a change at this time is the best way to correct this situation."

"Our community involvement, improving academic performance, and the success the program enjoyed in previous years under Coach Lewis, including a Big Sky Conference Championship in 2002, all made this decision difficult."

Larry Lewis was announced as Idaho State's 23rd head coach on November 23, 1998, the Monday after the 1998 season ended. Lewis had three winning seasons among his eight years at the helm of the Bengals, and his 40 wins are the third-most by a Bengal head coach. ISU shared the 2002 Big Sky Conference title with Montana and Montana State, and ISU had the first back-to-back eight-win seasons in history in 2002 and 2003. ISU has had 13 post-seasons and six pre-season All-Americans over that time as well.

However, ISU has struggled with three straight losing seasons, going 3-8 in 2004, 5-6 in 2005, and 2-9 this season. The Bengals entered the 2006 season with high hopes, boasting a Buck Buchanan Candidate in Pago Togafau and University of Michigan transfer quarterback Matt Gutierrez, but ISU lost four games by a touchdown or less, and the Bengals went winless in home conference games and lost seven conference games for the first time since the 1993 season, when ISU also went 2-9.

Lewis also ranks 18th in wins all-time among Big Sky Conference coaches, but his .449 winning percentage is the lowest mark among the coaches in the top 20. The Bengals were nationally ranked for part of four seasons under Lewis, with a high ranking of #10 in 2003.

A search and screening committee which will include representatives from the students, faculty, staff, alumni, boosters, and community is being assembled and will begin their work immediately.