TOWSON -- Towson University announced today that football coach Gordy Combs has been fired after a 3-9 season (1-7 Colonial Athletic Association).

Combs compiled a 92-90 record during 17 seasons as Towson's head coach. He leaves with 39 years of affiliation with the Tigers, including three as a player and 19 as an assistant coach.

"It was a difficult decision, but I believe it's time for Towson football to make a coaching change," athletic director Mike Hermann said in a statement. "As a head coach, Gordy has been a first-class representative of the university and has led the program through several league transitions. He and his staff have built a solid foundation for the program at the Colonial Athletic Association level, but we have not had the competitive success that we expect over the past two seasons. We believe it's time to hand the baton to another head coach to take it to the next level. I want to publicly thank Gordy for his commitment to the Towson football program."

The school will immediately begin a national search to find Combs' replacement.