Western Michigan fires head football coach Tim Lester

Less than a year after leading his team to a bowl win and 10 months after getting a contract extension, based in part on that success, Western Michigan has dismissed head football coach Tim Lester.

Western Michigan Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae announced a change in leadership Monday morning on the school's website following Lester's first losing season as a head coach.

"The upcoming college football playoff expansion and the incredible foundation for success we have within our football program provides an exciting national opportunity for Bronco Football," Bartholomae said in the statement.  "It is imperative that we seize this opportunity by pursuing a new direction within our football program. Western Michigan University can set the standard for football in the MAC, which in turn will position us for success in the new and evolving college football landscape. We will immediately embark on a search to welcome a leader that shares this aspirational vision."

Lester, who also was a standout quarterback at the school, had an overall record of 37-32 and finished 2022 at 5-7. He led WMU to a 52-24 win over Nevada in the 2021 Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field last December. During the 2021 season, Lester led the Broncos to a 44-41 win over power five opponent Pitt the eventual champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Broncos also defeated Mid-American Conference Champion Northern Illinois, 42-21, MAC East Division Champion Kent State, 64-31, and 2020 Mountain West Champion San Jose State, 23-3. The season culminated with the second bowl win in Western Michigan history.

Following that eight-win campaign, Lester agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2025 season.

This season, WMU started 3-7 before winning its final two games, including over rival Central Michigan University and a 20-14 victory over Toledo on Friday.

"First, I am disappointed that I won't get to lead the Western Michigan football program and these players in the future," Lester said in the statement. "I want to thank Al Molde and his staff for recruiting me here in 1995. I want to thank Bill Cubit for hiring me as an assistant in 2005. And finally, I would like to thank Kathy Beauregard and President John Dunn for giving me the opportunity to lead this program six years ago.

"It has been an honor for me and my family to represent Western Michigan University and be a member of the Kalamazoo Area Community.  I am also grateful for the dedicated group of loyal supporters that have been consistently behind our program. Most importantly, I am proud of the resolve shown by our players and staff.  To each and every one of them that gave their all for this program in the last 6 years, I love you and will support you in every possible way."

Lester started his playing career at Western Michigan earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors in 1996. He was a Second Team All-MAC selection his junior and senior seasons. He finished his Bronco career ranked fourth in FBS history in passing yards (11,299) and sixth in touchdown passes (87). Lester set 17 school passing records and eight MAC records.

"Coach Lester is a cherished WMU alumnus who has been a part of some of the most successful football seasons in our history, both as a student-athlete and as a coach," Bartholomae said in the statement. "He has represented Bronco Nation with integrity and with class, and he will always be welcomed in Kalamazoo and in our campus community. I am thankful for our year working together and will be rooting him on in his future successes."

Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick