MTSU parts ways with head coach Rick Stockstill after 18 seasons

Middle Tennessee Director of Athletics Chris Massaro announced Monday that head coach Rick Stockstill has been fired after 18 seasons with the MTSU program.

The former Clemson and South Carolina assistant was named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year twice and the Conference USA Coach of the Year once during his time with MTSU.

“This is one of the most difficult days in my tenure, but one I feel is necessary in our aspiration to compete and win championships,” Massaro said in a statement. “I appreciate everything Rick, his wife Sara, and their family have done the last 18 years for MTSU Athletics, our football program, and, more importantly, our student-athletes. Because of his leadership, our student-athletes have performed at a high level in the classroom, have dedicated time and energy to supporting our community and have given us countless hours of dedication to being successful on the football field. I want to thank Coach Stockstill for his professionalism, character and dedication, and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Rick Stockstill spent 23 seasons as an assistant coach, prior to taking over the MTSU program.

During that time, he worked under several excellent college football coaches, including Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier, Danny Ford, Tommy Bowden, Ken Hatfield, Larry Little and Tommy West.

Stockstill started his coaching career at Bethune-Cookman in 1983, before spending four seasons at UCF.

He then was hired at Clemson and spent 14 seasons with the Tigers, coaching in a variety of roles.

Stockstill spent time coaching quarterbacks and receivers and also served as a recruiting coordinator and co-offensive coordinator during certain parts of his time at Clemson.

From Clemson, Stockstill went to ECU for a season, before being hired at South Carolina.

During his time with the Gamecocks, Stockstill coached receivers and tight ends and was also the program’s recruiting coordinator.

He left Columbia after two years for the head coaching job at Middle Tennessee and remained in charge of the Blue Raiders program from 2006-2023.

Middle Tennessee had 10 winning seasons during Rick Stockstill’s tenure. However, the program finished 4-8 this past season. Stockstill was the fourth-longest tenured coach in the country, prior to being let go.

MTSU won four bowls during his time leading the program and reached 10 bowl games. In total, the Blue Raiders were eligible for a bowl in 12 of his 18 seasons. Stockstill’s 113 wins are third all-time in program history.