Central Michigan has fired head football coach John Bonamego following a 1-11 season.
The university announced the move Friday night.
"Making a leadership change is a difficult decision, especially when you know that coach has given his all to CMU," CMU athletic director Michael Alford said in a release. "After conducting a 360-degree evaluation of the program, it was clear that a change is needed if we are going to compete for and win championships. We greatly appreciate all that John has done for his alma mater and wish him the best moving forward."
The Chippewas' 1-11 record (0-8 in Mid-American Conference play) was the worst in program history, with their lone win coming against FCS opponent Maine in September.
During his four seasons at CMU, Bonamego compiled a 22-29 overall record, 15-17 in MAC play. The Chippewas reached bowl games in each of Bonamego's first three seasons, but lost each time (2015 vs. Minnesota in Quick Lane Bowl, 2016 vs. Tulsa in Miami Beach Bowl, and 2017 vs. Wyoming in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.)
Following his hiring in 2015, Bonamego battled and ultimately beat tonsil cancer, with his final treatment taking place mere weeks before his first game as head coach.
Bonamego's signature win as CMU head coach came in 2016, when the Chippewas upset No. 22 Oklahoma State 30-27, a game where the winning touchdown was scored on a controversial untimed final play.
CMU announced defensive backs coach Cory Hall will lead the program in the interim, and that a national search will begin immediately for Bonamego's replacement.