LORMAN, Miss. (WJTV) – Alcorn State head football coach Fred McNair has left the university.

There have been recent reports that McNair would leave the Braves for Texas Southern.

“I would like to thank Coach Fred McNair for his many years of service and dedication to Alcorn State University. We worked diligently to extend Coach McNair a multi-year contract which would have placed him in the top tier of the conference with both compensation, incentives, and additional incentives for assistant coaches,” said Robert Raines, interim director of intercollegiate athletics. “Unfortunately, we could not reach a mutual agreement.”

McNair led Alcorn State for seven seasons and coached the team to four SWAC East Division titles and a pair of SWAC Championships. McNair holds a 38-17 SWAC record (.691 winning percentage) on the Alcorn State sidelines while posting an overall record of 48-34 (.585).

Last season, the Braves posted a 7-4 overall and 6-2 SWAC record. Officials with the university said they wish McNair well in his future endeavors.

The university named Cedric Thomas as the new head football coach. Thomas becomes the 22nd head coach in program history.

“I am extremely humbled, thankful, and honored for this opportunity to lead the Alcorn State University Braves as the new head football coach,” said Thomas. “I want to continue to build on the foundation that was laid before me by so many legendary coaches, players, and staff. We will continue to make the University and alumni base proud of our championship culture.”

Thomas rejoined the Alcorn State football staff in March 2022 as the defensive coordinator. The Cleveland, Mississippi, native takes the reigns of the program after a prior stint as the defensive back coach from 2012-2015 and the defensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017.