Mizzou fires softball coach Ehren Earleywine

Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk fired softball coach Ehren Earleywine on Friday, just two weeks before the season starts.

Sterk released this statement on Friday morning.

“I met with Coach Earleywine this morning and informed him of our decision to make a change in leadership within the softball program effective immediately,” Sterk said. “We do not take action of this magnitude without careful thought and consideration, however, we have lost confidence in Coach Earleywine’s leadership to foster the type of healthy environment we expect for our student-athletes, and as a result, believe it is in the program’s best interest to make a change at this time.

“Since my arrival at Mizzou, I have had a chance to consider concerns within the softball program that arose before my time and observe Coach Earleywine’s leadership of our program,” he added. “This decision was based upon a culmination of leadership concerns, not just one incident, which caused me to reevaluate his position within our softball program at this time.”

Several former Mizzou softball players have come out in support of Earleywine.

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Earleywine coached the Tigers for 11 seasons, compiling a record of 482-182 (.726). The Jefferson City native led the Tigers to a program record 11-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. MU went to eight Super Regionals and three Women’s College World Series during Earleywine’s tenure.

Sterk went on to say:

“While we are appreciative of the many successes Coach Earleywine’s teams have enjoyed on the field during his Mizzou tenure, we had serious concerns about the culture within the softball program and the experience our student-athletes were being provided as a result,” Sterk said. “I recognize that the timing is less than ideal, but I did not believe I could hold off in making a decision to ensure that our student-athletes experience a constructive environment that is consistent with the department’s expectations and values.”

A release from MU says Earleywine will be paid based upon the terms of his contract, which expires on June 30, 2018. Mizzou will name an interim head coach early next week.

Mizzou opens up its 2018 season at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz., against San Jose State, Feb. 8.

Earleywine’s tenure began to take a turn for the worse in the Spring of 2016 – the Mizzou softball team announced a protest against former athletic director Mack Rhoades. The protest came after Rhoades began an investigation into Earleywine’s behavior. Rhoades said the investigation stemmed from player complaints.

In August of 2016, a source confirmed to ABC 17 News that new athletic director Jim Sterk would retain Earleywine as head softball coach. Earleywine coached the Tigers to a 29-28 record in 2017.

Our most recent interview with Ehren Earleywine came on Oct. 8, 2017. He told ABC 17 Sports Director Andrew Kauffman how his coaching philosophy has changed over the years.

“My competitiveness is still the exact same as it’s always been. I’ve just learned there are different ways of reaching kids.”

ABC 17 News reached out to Ehren Earleywine on Friday. He has not returned our message.