Mike Bloomgren will no longer be the head coach of Rice Football, effective immediately. The Owls are making a leadership change within the program.
The Roost can confirm reports, first from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, that Mike Bloomgren has been fired. This decision comes in the days following another disheartening loss, this time to UConn, sinking the Owls’ record to 2-6 on the season.
The 2024 record reflects what had become a disastrous seventh season for Bloomgren at Rice. Picked to finish seventh in the preseason media poll, the Owls’ lone win in their first five games came against FCS Texas Southern. They are now 1-3 in conference play
Bloomgren leaves Rice with a 24-52 record across seven seasons. He routinely delivered some of the best recruiting classes the program has ever seen, hauling in the top-rated class in program history on at least four separate occasions. He was one of just three coaches in program history to reach back-to-back bowl games. At the end of the day, though, he never won consistently enough to deliver on expectations.
Athletic Director Tommy McClelland released this statement:
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Coach Bloomgren. Over his seven seasons of service as our head football coach, he has represented our university and football program with the utmost class and integrity,” said McClelland. “However, as I evaluated our program and compared our current and desired trajectory, I determined new leadership is necessary to guide us into the future.”
A national search is expected to begin immediately to find his replacement. Associate Head Coach & Special Teams Coordinator Pete Alamar will serve as the Owls’ interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024 season.
** Photo Credit: Maria Lysaker **
