After 200 years, Mississippi’s oldest institution of higher learning is changing its name, dropping its storied football program, and undergoing a major reorganization.

Mississippi College, located in Clinton, announced Monday that it will become Mississippi Christian University. The change will take effect in 2026 and coincide with the institution’s bicentennial.

The university changed its name twice following its founding in 1826, but has been Mississippi College since 1830.

In a statement, the university said the name change is “a strategic decision” that is more in line with its mission as a Christian school. Mississippi College is a private four-year university affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention. It currently has approximately 6,000 students.

“A name change to Mississippi Christian University allows us to clearly articulate who we are as an institution,” Mississippi College President Blake Thompson said in the statement. “We are firmly planted in Mississippi, uphold a commitment to our Christian mission and educational environment and focus on academic excellence.”

In addition to the name change, Mississippi College will undergo what it called an “academic reorganization” and a “strategic realignment of the athletic department.”

The academic reorganization will consolidate several programs and rename the School of Education the School of Education and Human Science.

The athletic realignment will involve discontinuing the football program that has existed since 1907.

Mississippi College was the home of legendary College Football Hall of Fame coaches Edwin “Goat” Hale and Dana X. Bible in the early 20th century, and won a Division II national championship in 1989. The national title was later vacated because of recruiting violations.

In a statement, athletic director Kenny Bizot said increasing costs in football led to the decision to end that program and focus on other athletic programs.

Mississippi College is currently a member of the NCAA’s Division II and plays in the Gulf South Conference. It participates in seven men’s sports besides football, as well as eight women’s sports.

“As we consider the changing landscape of college football, the increasing influence of the NIL and transfer portal, as well as increasing costs to operate and travel, we felt it was necessary to focus our efforts on building first-class programs that can compete for championships,” Bizot said in the university’s statement.

Mississippi College lost 20-14 to in-state rival Delta State last Saturday to finish its final football season with a 2-8 record. The Choctaws’ last winning season was in 2009 when they were in Division III.

In a statement on Twitter/X, first-year head coach Mike Kershaw said he was “shocked” to hear that his program was pulled out from under him.

“Sitting here shocked would an understatement of the news our team received today from our administration,” Kershaw wrote. “It is horrible for these kids that because of poor decision people now 105 kids and coaching staff’s lives are about to change.”

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— Mike Kershaw (@CoachMKershaw) November 18, 2024

Kershaw also pledged to help his players find a new team. Bizot said MC will “continue to support our current student-athletes as they seek to continue their education at MC,” and will reportedly honor the scholarships of current players.

“My heart breaks for my teammates and this coaching staff. This is absolutely wild,” Choctaws quarterback Eli Anderson wrote on Twitter/X.

Only one player from Warren County, linebacker and Warren Central alum Jaylin Thompson, was on MC’s football roster this season. A number of others have played there over the years, however.

Vicksburg High football head coach was a Choctaw from 2010-11.

“I enjoyed my time at MC. I don’t regret it for nothing in the world,” Lacey said. “They provided me an opportunity to play football, helped me get a degree, and I’m probably not here as a head coach if it’s not for Mississippi College. I’m forever grateful for them.”

While he was disappointed for the players, Lacey added that he understood the business of college sports.

“I hate it for all those kids that are on scholarship and playing football. That’s tough to deal with, especially after you just got done playing a game Saturday to find out about that Monday,” Lacey said. “But business is business. I’m pretty sure they thought long and hard about that decision and they’re doing what’s best for the university.”

At least one current player was less understanding. In a post on Twitter/X, kicker Price Nixon called the move “cowardly.”

“Cowardly leaders jeopardized the livelihoods of our coaches and the careers and effort that everyone on this team and staff has put in to this school and team,” Nixon wrote. “The President didn’t even have the courage to show his face to the team.

Mississippi College Football has just been killed this morning by an inept school administration. They failed not only the athletes but the legacy of players, coaches, and a community that had stood behind this team for decades. The administration couldn’t even show their faces.

— Elliot Price Nixon (@price_nixon) November 18, 2024