SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) -Tim Stowers was fired Monday as football coach at Rhode Island after producing a single winning season in eight years.

The former Temple assistant, who played two seasons at Auburn, was 33-57 since arriving at Rhode Island in 2000. The Rams went 3-8 this season.

``Winning is an important part of the student-athlete experience and is important to who we are,'' athletic director Thorr Bjorn said in a statement.

Bjorn said a search committee will be formed this week. School officials are negotiating a financial settlement with Stowers, who had one year left on his contract.