Michigan fires offensive coordinator Jason Beck after loss - ESPN

Michigan has fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck, amid the unit's prolonged struggles this season, the team announced Sunday.

Beck, one of several assistants who joined Wolverines first-year coach Kyle Whittingham from Utah, had come under significant scrutiny as Michigan has not scored 20 points in six of nine games and eclipsed 28 points just once. The Wolverines were held scoreless for more than 58 minutes Saturday night before losing 15-6 to in-state rival Michigan State at Michigan Stadium. Michigan lost for the first time in 30 years when not allowing a touchdown.

Per the terms of his contract, Beck is set to be owed up to $10.1 million. That's nearly $7 million in salary and nearly $3.1 million in retention bonuses. The contract is subject to offset and mitigation. It is believed to be the biggest buyout ever for a college assistant.

Offensive line coach Jim Harding will serve as the team's interim offensive coordinator for the rest of the season before Whittingham begins a national search for Beck's replacement.

«The results have not matched our desired outcome, and I felt that a change in leadership was required for our offense,» Whittingham said in a statement. «We need to put our offensive players and the entire team in the best possible position to be successful. We appreciate the hard work and effort that Jason has dedicated to the program. Jason is a great man and coach, and unfortunately, it did not work out the way that we wanted it to at Michigan. We wish Jason and his family nothing but the best in the future.»

The Wolverines are averaging just 19.6 points per game and 5 yards per play.

Asked about a potential coordinator change after the Michigan State loss, Whittingham said, «Not right now, not