Austin Peay State University Athletics Director Ryan Ivey has announced that Kirby Cannon will not return as Governors head football coach for the 2016 season.

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Austin Peay State University Athletics Director Ryan Ivey has announced that Kirby Cannon will not return as Governors head football coach for the 2016 season.

The announcement was made late Monday, nine days after Austin Peay concluded the 2015 season with an 0-11 record. A yet-to-be-determined buyout compensation figure will be completely paid by private funds, at no cost to the university. A national search for Cannon’s replacement will begin immediately, with Ivey set to spearhead a committee of administrators, donors and alums.

“I want to thank Coach Cannon for his service to Austin Peay and our football program,” Ivey said. “He has worked hard to move our football program in the right direction, and has done it with class. Unfortunately, we have not made the progress any of us would have liked, and therefore we must move in another direction.”

The Governors were 1-34 during Cannon’s three seasons at the helm as he attempted to rebuild a program that has enjoyed just two winning seasons since the turn of the century. After taking over in April 2013, Cannon was winless in a first season that included four straight road games to start the season and visits to SEC powers Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

With a full offseason to implement his system and recruit—an effort aided by the remodeling of Governors Stadium—Austin Peay picked up its lone win of the Cannon era in 2014 against Murray State. But another winless campaign, coupled with a perceived lack of development in 2015, caused the athletic and university administration to make a program leadership change.

The next coach will be the 19th head coach in Austin Peay football history. The new coach in charge will take over a roster that returns 60 lettermen and 20 starters from 2015.

Running backs coach and recruiting coordinator J.D. Sellers will serve as acting head coach until a hire is made.