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Following a 23-7 loss against Pittsburg State to end the regular season, Northwest is not renewing Head coach Rich Wright’s contract effective Dec. 31.

Wright finished the regular season 6-5 and 5-4 in MIAA play, which is the worst season since 1995. This season also caps Wright’s lowest performing season as head football coach he has produced while in the position. Wright finished his 7-year head coaching career 65-22, with three MIAA championships and five NCAA playoff appearances.

Wright has been on the coaching staff for 21 seasons, and has helped lead the Bearcats to four titles as defensive coordinator from 2011-2016.

Wright was hired internally following the departure of former Head coach Adam Dorrel. Dorrel left the program for Abilene Christian University following the Bearcats’ undefeated season in 2016. This is the first time the school has let a coach go since the 1993 season.

Director of Athletics Andy Peterson said a national search will begin for the next head coach for Bearcat football. Co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Chad Bostwick has agreed to serve as the interim head coach until a new coach is selected, Northwest Athletics said in a press release Nov. 19.

Bostwick joined the coaching staff in 2011 and is also the brother of former Head coach Scott Bostwick.

The search begins now for the school’s 21st head football coach.