Middle Tennessee State football coach Rick Stockstill was fired Monday after 18 seasons as Blue Raider coach, per a release from the university.

His current contract was through the 2029 season. Per his contract, MTSU will owe him a buyout of about $5 million, to be paid out over the remaining term of the deal through Dec. 31, 2029. That's one of the largest, if not the largest, in the Group of Five.

Per the contract, this amount is subject to Stockstill having an obligation to make “diligent efforts” to find another job, with his income from that job offsetting what he is owed by the university.

Stockstill, the fourth-longest tenured head coach in the nation and third-longest in Blue Raider history, was 113-111 in 18 seasons. He led MTSU to 10 bowl appearances, a 2006 Sun Belt Conference (split) championship and a 2018 Conference USA title game appearance.

"This is one of the most difficult days in my tenure, but one I feel is necessary in our aspiration to compete and win championships," said MTSU athletic director Chris Massaro. "I appreciate everything Rick, his wife Sara, and their family have done the last 18 years for MTSU Athletics, our football program, and, more importantly, our student-athletes.

"Because of his leadership, our student-athletes have performed at a high level in the classroom, have dedicated time and energy to supporting our community and have given us countless hours of dedication to being successful on the football field. I want to thank Coach Stockstill for his professionalism, character and dedication, and wish him well in his future endeavors."

The Blue Raiders struggled to 4-8 record (3-5 in CUSA) in 2023 after back-to-back bowl wins in 2021 (Bahamas) and 2022 (Hawaii).

The team ended the season with a 23-20 loss at Sam Houston State, a game in which a fight broke out following the final play, a missed field goal attempt by the Blue Raiders.

MTSU won at least seven games seven times over the past 11 seasons, but the lone 10-win season came in 2009.

Stockstill, from Fernandino Beach, Florida, was an honorable mention All-American while quarterback at Florida State (1977-82), having played in three bowl games.

He went on to become an assistant coach at several stops, including Clemson and South Carolina, before being hired as MTSU head coach in December 2005.

His son, former Siegel and MTSU quarterback Brent Stockstill, is currently the Blue Raider quarterbacks coach.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU football: Rick Stocktill fired as head coach after 18 seasons