The Samford Bulldogs are making a change at head coach.

Longtime head of the football program Chris Hatcher has been relieved of his duties following a decisive 38-14 home loss to East Tennessee State that moved the Bulldogs to an unsightly 1-9 on the year.

In 2022, Hatcher led Samford to an 8-0 conference record and 11-2 overall record to win a Southern Conference championship before advancing into the FCS quarterfinals, but things have not gone well in the three seasons since.

It’s been an 11-21 record in that period, and the program clearly felt it was time for a change.

“Coach Hatcher has always represented the university and our football program with dignity and class,”  Samford VP for Intercollegiate Athletics Martin Newton said in a release.

“We’ve enjoyed some incredible moments together with our success on the field and in the classroom. However, the results on the field the last few seasons have not met our expectations, and it’s time to go in a different direction. I wish Chris and his family all the best moving forward and know the Bulldog family is appreciative of all his hard work.”

Hatcher finishes his tenure with an overall record of 62-59.

An interim coach was not named at the time of the announcement, but Samford must gear up this week for another game, this time on the road against Austin Peay.