COLUMBIA, MO. * Missouri's defense showed some progress in Saturday's loss to South Carolina but not enough to save DeMontie Cross' job. MU announced Sunday that Cross has been fired, effective immediately. Cross also coaches the team's inside linebackers.
“I am very appreciative of all that DeMontie has done for Mizzou, and am sorry that this did not work out, however, after careful evaluation, I believe it is important to make this change now,” MU coach Barry Odom said in a statement released by the school Sunday evening.
Cross was not available for immediate comment. He's on the second year of a three-year contract that pays him $600,000 annually.