MIAMI — Florida International University (FIU) has decided to part ways with head coach Mike MacIntyre after three seasons, each ending with a 4-8 record.
MacIntyre took over a challenging program that had just come off a winless, pandemic-shortened season in 2020 and managed to secure only one victory (1-11) in the 2021 season. Despite this, the Panthers failed to show significant improvement in their overall performance, finishing with a 6-18 record in Conference USA during MacIntyre’s tenure, including a 3-5 mark this season.
In the interim, defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt will take over head coaching duties while the university conducts a search for MacIntyre’s successor.
FIU athletic director Scott Carr expressed that, while MacIntyre faced a tough situation upon his arrival, he did bring about positive changes in various aspects of the program. These included achieving the highest GPA in the school’s history and improving operational efficiencies and budgeting. However, the decision to move on was based strictly on the team’s performance on the field. Carr remarked, “Although we have been more competitive on the field during the last three seasons, our win-loss record does not reflect those statistical advances.”
Previously, MacIntyre was recognized as the national coach of the year by The Associated Press in 2016 while at Colorado. His history includes successful revivals at both San Jose State and Colorado, transforming them into competitive teams with ten wins or more in previous coaching stints. Unfortunately, he was unable to replicate that success at FIU.
After the 2022 season, MacIntyre received a one-year contract extension, which kept him at FIU until 2027 at an annual salary of $750,000. It is anticipated that he will be owed approximately $1.1 million as part of a buyout agreement.
Reflecting on the season’s end, MacIntyre said, “You can’t control your circumstances. You always have to get up and keep moving forward, and that’s exactly what these kids did. I’m very proud of their perseverance, and I regret not being able to lead them to a bowl game this year.”
With MacIntyre’s departure, FIU joins the growing list of coaching vacancies in Florida, as the state currently sees three openings at the FBS level. Florida Atlantic University (FAU) let go of Tom Herman last month, and the University of Central Florida (UCF) is also on the hunt for a new coach following Gus Malzahn’s exit to become the offensive coordinator at Florida State.
Historically, FIU has struggled with consistency, having recorded losing seasons in 17 out of 21 years since its football program’s inception. The institution had two winning seasons under Mario Cristobal, who now leads the Miami Hurricanes, and two additional winning campaigns under former Miami coach Butch Davis.
