Murray, KY -- Murray State announced Friday that head football coach Joe Pannunzio will not have his contract renewed. The move was made just one day after a season-ending blowout loss versus Tennessee-Martin.

"After taking the time to carefully evaluate our football program this season, I feel it is best at this time to move in a new direction," said MSU athletics director Allen Ward, who noted that a search for a new coach will begin now.

Murray State finished with an abysmal 2-9 record this season, including an awful 0-7 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Named the 15th head football coach at Murray State on January 27, 2000, Pannunzio completed his sixth season in a bad way. Thursday's 49-20 defeat gave the Racers their first winless season in conference play since 1966.

"I sincerely want to thank Coach Pannunzio for his service to the university, and I wish him the very best in his future coaching endeavors," Ward added.

Pannunzio finished with a 30-37 record at the Division I-AA football program, which won the OVC championship in 2002.