TOWSON, Md. — Towson University has fired football coach Gordy Combs, ending his 39 year tenure as a linebacker, assistant and head coach at the school.

The decision followed Combs' 17th season as head coach and a career record of 92-90. He was only the third head coach in the 40-year history of the Towson football program.

Athletic director Mike Hermann said in a statement that the school had not had the competitive success it expected. The Tigers won only three games in each of the past two seasons.

The university is beginning a nationwide search for Combs' successor.