Worst season in CMU football history brings four-year run to an end for Bonamego
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI — John Bonamego’s tenure as Central Michigan University football coach began with a battle.
And ended with a fight.
The university announced late Friday that the fourth-year head coach had been fired after a brawl-marred 51-13 loss to the University of Toledo that capped the worst season in CMU history.
Bonamego, who led CMU to a 22-29 record during his time at the helm, has stood as an inspirational figure on the Mount Pleasant campus since his return to his alma mater in 2015. Before he ever coached a game for the Chippewas, he was diagnosed with tonsil cancer.
On Nov. 21, he sent out a note on Twitter announcing his three-year anniversary of being cancer free.
“It is a constant reminder to take nothing for granted, cherish every moment, and make the most of every single day and opportunity,” he wrote.
But victories on the football field were hard to find this season, with the Chippewas going 1-11 to set program records for futility, and Bonamego was let go. Michael Alford, CMU’s athletic director and associate vice president, announced the move on the school’s Website at 9 p.m. Friday.
“Making a leadership change is a difficult decision, especially when you know that coach has given his all to CMU,” Alford said.
