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Duke fires head coach Goldsmith

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Posted: Monday November 30, 1998 12:47 PM

Duke lost its last three games to Vanderbilt, Maryland and North Carolina Doug Pensinger/Allsport

DURHAM, North Carolina (AP) -- Duke coach Fred Goldsmith, who led the Blue Devils to a bowl game in his first season but is 9-35 since, was fired today with four years remaining on his contract, the school announced.

Duke was 4-4 through eight games this season, but lost its final three games to Vanderbilt, Maryland and North Carolina, helping lead to Goldsmith's ouster.

"I am grateful for coach Goldsmith's efforts over the past five years, however it is time to move in a different direction," athletic director Joe Alleva said in a statement. "The overall direction of the football program and the direction in which it was going was not what I wanted to see."

Goldsmith had a 17-39 mark in five seasons at Duke, including an 0-11 season in 1996.

His 1994 team went 8-4 and played in the Hall of Fame Bowl.

"I'm disappointed I didn't have more success on the football field," Goldsmith said. "I felt we were on the verge of achieving the level of success that I expected again in 1999.

"I'm confident Duke can have a good football program," Goldsmith added. "Next year was a target year for it all to fall into place. I certainly wanted to be able to see that come to fruition, but I respect the decision made by the university."

Alleva said Goldsmith's contract would be honored by the school and the search for a new coach would be immediately.

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