Samford University has announced the termination of head football coach Chris Hatcher as of Sunday. Hatcher, who previously played quarterback at Valdosta State from 1991 to 1994 and served as head coach from 2000 to 2006, led the Bulldogs” football program for 11 seasons after his hiring on December 11, 2014.
During his tenure at Samford, Hatcher became the university”s winningest football coach, finishing with a record of 62 wins and 59 losses. Notably, he guided the Bulldogs to an impressive 11-2 record and a Southern Conference championship in 2022, earning accolades as the 2022 SoCon Coach of the Year and receiving the Region 2 Coach of the Year award from the American Football Coaches Association.
This current season, however, proved challenging for the Bulldogs, who struggled to secure victories, ending with an overall record of 1-9 and 1-7 within the Southern Conference.
In a statement, Samford”s Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Martin Newton expressed gratitude for Hatcher”s contributions, stating, “Coach Hatcher has always represented the university and our football program with dignity and class. 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.”
Prior to his time at Samford, Hatcher achieved considerable success with the Blazers, leading them to a remarkable 76-12 record, including 56-6 in Gulf South Conference play, and capturing the first NCAA Division II national championship in 2004.
