Central Michigan Football: Chippewas part ways with John Bonamego

John Bonamego will not get the chance to serve out his contract, as Central Michigan football announced they have parted ways with the head coach.

Bonamego went 22-29 over four seasons, including a 1-11 mark this past year that featured a winless tour through the Mid-American Conference. The Chippewas had qualified for three consecutive bowls under Bonamego, who was the first CMU alum to serve as head coach since Bill Kelly in 1966.

"“Making a leadership change is a difficult decision, especially when you know that coach has given his all to CMU,” Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Michael Alford said. “After conducting a 360-degree evaluation of the program, it was clear that a change is needed if we are going to compete for a win championships. We greatly appreciate all that John has done for his alma mater and wish him the best moving forward.”"

After serving as an assistant at several different stops include with NFL teams the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, the Michigan native was hired in 2015 to replace Dan Enos.

Central Michigan opened the year falling 35-20 to Kentucky on the road before a 31-7 loss to Kansas at home the following week. They earned a 17-5 victory over Maine for their lone win on the year, also losing to Michigan State.

Five of the 11 losses came by 10 points or less, but the Chippewas were blown out this past Friday at Toledo, 51-13.

It was a great debut for Bonamego, as he went 7-6 and finished in a tie for first in the MAC West Division, qualifying Central Michigan for the Quick Lane Bowl and falling to Minnesota, 21-14. A year later, they went 6-7 overall and played in the Miami Beach Bowl.

In 2017, the Chippewas had their best season under his guidance, going 8-5 and finishing 6-2 in the MAC for a second year. They played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, falling to Wyoming.

Bonamego overcame tonsil cancer that was found in 2015, announcing a few months later that he had completed radiation for the disease.

Cory Hall, who has been the defensive backs coach and defensive recruiting coordinator, will take over on an interim basis until a new coach is hired.

Central Michigan has been a feeder for several big-time programs to poach coaches in recent history, as Brian Kelly was there from 2004-06, with Butch Jones also spending three seasons on the sidelines.