Sam Houston Fires Coach Phil Longo After 3-17 Record

Sam Houston fired head football coach Phil Longo on October 28, 2026, after a dismal 3-17 record across less than two seasons that left the program winless against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. The dismissal followed a 24-3 loss to Missouri State that marked the team’s ninth straight defeat against FBS competition.

Two Seasons of Offensive Struggles and Record Lows

Longo arrived in Huntsville, Texas, in December 2024 to replace K.C. Keeler, who had left the program after a 9-3 regular season to take the head coaching job at Temple. The transition proved difficult from the opening kickoff. In Longo’s debut season in 2025, the Bearkats stumbled to a 2-10 record, representing their fewest wins since 2003.

The offensive struggles followed him to his first FBS head coaching role. Sam Houston’s signature offense ranked last in Conference USA during both of his seasons at the helm. The unit managed a paltry 322.8 yards per game in 2026 and scored a meager three points in three of their four conference games.

The team sits among the bottom 10 scoring offenses in the FBS, averaging just 18 points per game this season. Those numbers culminated in a 1-11 record in Conference USA action under Longo.

Bobby Williams Calls for Leadership Change in Bearkat Football

Athletic director Bobby Williams addressed the firing in a public statement released by the university on October 28, 2026.

Phil has contributed to Bearkat football as both an offensive coordinator and head coach, and we appreciate his work with our student-athletes. Our responsibility is to evaluate the program’s performance and direction. After careful review, I believe a change in leadership is necessary to position Bearkat football to compete consistently in Conference USA and meet the expectations of our student-athletes, university and supporters.

Associate head coach Eric Raisbeck and defensive coordinator Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay will take over as interim co-head coaches. The pair will guide the Bearkats through the final four games of the regular season.

Transition From FCS Powerhouse to FBS Struggles

The decline marks a pivot for a program that enjoyed success at the Football Championship Subdivision level.

Since making the jump to the FBS level in 2023, the Bearkats have compiled a 16-29 overall record. Ten of those victories came during the 2024 campaign immediately preceding Longo’s arrival.