Macdonald dismissed as coach of Bulldogs

October 31, 2012

MacDonald

After failing to qualify for the Southeastern Conference soccer tournament, Mississippi State has dismissed head coach Neil Macdonald.

The Bulldogs finished 9-10-1 overall and 2-10-1 in conference play. They finished last in the SEC Western division.

Macdonald learned of the decision Monday morning. He will be reassigned in the MSU athletic department for the remainder of his contract.

"We appreciate the nine years Neil has given Mississippi State as head of our soccer program," Athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a MSU release. "Neil was a tireless worker and gave soccer everything he had both as an assistant on our staff and then as head coach. We just felt a change in leadership was needed to guide our program to the ultimate goal we have for all of our student-athletes -- to win consistently in the Southeastern Conference and compete for championships."

In his nine seasons as head coach of the Bulldogs, Macdonald was 58-103-14.

Macdonald was the third head coach when he was hired in 2004.

Stricklin and other members of the MSU athletic department will lead the search for a new head coach.