UMass fires football coach Charley Molnar

Charley Molnar's UMass squad went 1-11 this season and 1-7 in conference play. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Massachusetts fired Charley Molnar as its head football coach, the school announced Thursday.

The school said that the search for a new coach will begin immediately.

Molnar had a record of 2-22 in two years as head coach, including a 2-14 record in Mid American Conference play. Molnar had three years remaining on his contract for approximately $836,000.

"We want to thank Charley Molnar for his service and the extraordinary time and energy he devoted to coaching the Minutemen as we entered competition in the Football Bowl Subdivision," UMass athletic director John McCutcheon said. "It has become clear, however, that we must improve our performance in several areas and move in a new direction to ensure success in the FBS. Going forward, we must build a strong foundation to win on the field and stimulate enthusiasm and support for the program throughout the university community."

UMass started playing in the FBS in 2012, making the jump from the Football Championship Subdivision.

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