Spartans fire coach

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- As the losses piled up for Bobby Williams, his future with the Michigan State football team grew increasingly uncertain.

The school ended weeks of speculation when they fired Williams, one of four black coaches among the 117 schools in Division I-A football, after Monday's practice.

"At this point, it clears the air," athletic director Ron Mason said. "If there was anybody wondering if there's going to be a new coach, well, now nobody's wondering."

Offensive coordinator Morris Watts was appointed interim head coach. Mason said the university will start searching for a new head coach immediately.

Mason delivered the news to Williams after practice Monday afternoon. Watts announced the news to the team a short time later. The firing came two days after the Spartans' 49-3 loss to Michigan, the school's worst in 55 years. Michigan State is 3-6 overall.

Mason said he was hired to make tough decisions, but admitted this one was tougher than most.