Alcorn State fires football coach Melvin Spears

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LORMAN, Miss. -- Alcorn State football coach Melvin Spears has been fired after just one season on the job.

Spears led the Braves to a 2-8 record last fall, including an embarrassing 51-7 loss to rival Jackson State in the season finale. Spears was placed on administrative leave shortly after the season ended, but an official announcement wasn't made until Friday.

Defensive line coach Todd McDaniel will serve as the interim coach, according to university spokeswoman LaToya Shields.

Alcorn State also announced that Patric Simon has been hired as the new athletic director. Simon previously held the same position at Langston (Okla.) University.

The Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger reported that Spears had two years remaining on his contract which pays $130,000 annually.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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