Rice Football Coach Mike Bloomgren Fired

Rice University has fired head coach Mike Bloomgren after nearly seven seasons, following a disappointing record of 24-52 and a looming tenth consecutive losing season. The Owls fell to 2-6 after a recent loss to UConn, leading Athletic Director Tommy McClelland to conclude that new leadership was essential for the program's future. Associate head coach Pete Alamar will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Bloomgren had only one winning season, finishing 6-7 last year and leading the team to two bowl games, albeit with unimpressive records. The university is now conducting a national search for a new head coach, hoping to find someone familiar with academic constraints, as Rice is a private institution. Potential candidates include Bill Clark, who has a successful track record and is eager to return to coaching.