Florida International fires coach Mario Cristobal

Florida International has fired coach Mario Cristobal after six seasons with the program.

Samuel Lewis/Icon SMI

MIAMI (AP) -- Florida International has fired football coach Mario Cristobal after six seasons.

Athletic director Pete Garcia made the announcement Wednesday morning. Garcia called FIU's season "a total collapse" and says the program needs to go in a different direction.

The Panthers were 3-9 this season, after being widely picked to win the Sun Belt. FIU is moving to Conference USA next season.

Cristobal was 27-47 at FIU, though took the Panthers to their first two bowl games before the disappointing campaign in 2012.

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