MUMFORD'S ERA ENDS AT SOUTHEAST; SEMO GRID COACH STEPS DOWN AFTER 10 SEASONS

The John Mumford era at Southeast Missouri State University officially came to an end Monday -- as had been expected -- when the school's head football coach submitted his resignation effective at the end of his contract on Jan. 31.

Mumford completed his 10th season as the Indians' head coach Saturday with a 35-28 loss to undefeated Tennessee State, giving Southeast a second consecutive 3-8 record and a 13-31 mark over the past four years. Overall, Mumford was 40-70 at Southeast, with a 33-67 record since the school moved up to the Division I-AA level nine years ago. Mumford also spent one season as the Indians' defensive coordinator, in 1989, before taking over as head coach the following season, Southeast's last in Division II.The announcement of Mumford's resignation -- there is little question that his contract would not have been renewed -- came through a prepared statement faxed by the university.

In the statement, Mumford said, "Performance criteria that were established last December (after Mumford received a one-year contract extension) were not met this season. It is in the best interest of the football program and for my family that I move on."I want to thank the many people who have supported our tenure at Southeast and can now only wish we would have been more successful. I hope the absolute best for the players and their future at Southeast."Later, an emotional Mumford met with a couple members of the media in his office at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex just a short time after addressing his team."I told them (his players) there would be a coaching change and I wished them the best," he said. "It's a heck of a group of young men and the way they finished the season (winning three of the last four games after an 0-7 start) is something I'll always remember."The specific performance goals regarding this season's team that were mutually agreed upon by Mumford and the Southeast administration last year were never made public, but Mumford hinted at what one of the major points was."When I sat down with the administration (last year) and we talked about criteria, the main criteria was a winning season," said Mumford. "At the time I felt if I can't get it done with a winning season this year, then it's time to go."I've gone through a lot here. We've had some good times and we knocked on the door a bunch. We've been close but not close enough. That's why we're here today."Mumford said he feels extremely bad for his assistant coaches. All but one will not have their contracts renewed when they expire Jan. 31. Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman did say that one assistant, defensive line coach Rory Segrest, who is in his first season at Southeast, will be retained."I feel terrible (for the assistants)," Mumford said. "As head coach, I have all those guys hanging on to my coat tails. This coaching staff is tremendous. It's a great group of teachers and I think they showed that by how much we improved toward the end of the season."Mumford said the Indians' main shortcoming regarding their record over the past several seasons can be attributed to one factor: Recruiting."The key is recruit, recruit, recruit," he said. "I think we've proven our ability as coaches. Our offense, our defense works. You have to get players."Asked whether he and his staff have had the resources necessary to recruit quality players across the board in recent seasons, Mumford said, "There are some shortcomings, obviously. I don't want to get into specifics, but I think those are being addressed (by the administration)."I was supposed to do the best with what I had. I'm not sure I did that."As for his family, which includes his wife Leslie and three school-age daughters, Mumford, who has been in coaching since 1980, said, "It's a trying time, but blessings come in strange ways. I'll look to explore a lot of situations in and out of coaching. But my heart is still in coaching."Cape Girardeau has been great to my family. It's been a great place to raise my family. The girls aren't thrilled about moving, but it will come down to how best I can support my family."Kaverman, in his first year as Southeast's athletic director, expressed admiration for Mumford." I have the utmost respect for coach Mumford. He is a class individual," Kaverman said. "We are grateful for his dedication and service to the university over the last 10 years and we wish him well."Mumford led the Indians to a pair of winning records: 7-3 in his first season in 1990 and 7-5 in 1994, when Mumford was named Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year during Southeast's fourth season on the I-AA level.

After a 5-6 record in 1995, the on-field performance began to decline considerably. The Indians went 3-8 in 1996 and 4-7 in 1997 before the 3-8 marks of the past two seasons."It's naturally disappointing, but we've had plenty of opportunities to get it going over the last 10 years," said Mumford. "These things happen in college football. You're here to win and that's the bottom line."

John MumfordYears as Southeast Missouri State head coach: 1990-99Overall record: 40-70Overall winning percentage: .364OVC record: 25-43OVC winning percentage: .368Best season: 7-3 (1990)*Worst season: 2-9 (1992.

Winning seasons: twoLosing seasons: eight

1999 record: 3-8Prior experience: Seven years at South Dakota as assistant coach; two years at Kansas as assistant coach.*Mumford was named OVC Coach of the Year in 1994 with a 7-5 record.