Weber State football: Jody Sears expected t..

College football • Fill-in coach will stay despite 2-9 record.

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Weber State is expected to announce Wednesday morning that the interim tag will be removed from Jody Sears' title as football coach.

Sears was asked to step into the void left by the departure of John L. Smith for Arkansas.

The Wildcats were 2-9 this season and 2-6 in the Big Sky Conference.

Smith originally was hired to replace retired Ron McBride, but Smith resigned following spring football. Sears, who last had worked at Washington State, was hired by Smith as a defensive coordinator.

Weber State athletic director Jerry Bovee said midway through the season that Sears' future did not necessarily depend on wins and losses. Both WSU victories came on the road — at Southern Utah and the season finale at Idaho State. Four of the Wildcats' losses were by eight points or less.

Bovee and Sears did not return calls Tuesday.

Weber State football: Jody Sears expected to lose 'interim' tag