Arizona Athletic Director Greg Bryne announced that Mike Stoops was absolved of his duties as Arizona Wildcats head coach on Monday.

“We’re appreciative of Mike’s dedicated work for the Arizona Wildcats,” Bryne said in a press release from Arizona Athletics. “Coach Stoops had many successes as our head coach over the last eight seasons. It was a difficult decision but I feel now is the time for new leadership and direction.”

Defensive coordinator Tim Kish will take over as interim head coach for the rest of the 2011 season. The Wildcats have a bye this week after losing to Oregon State 37-27 on Saturday.

Stoops was named head coach of the Wildcats in 2004 and complied a 41-50 record in eight season in Tucson. He had a 27-38 mark in conference games. He had led Arizona to three straight bowl game appearances, tying the school record.

Arizona is currently 1-5 and on a four-game losing streak. The Wildcats are in last place of Pac-12 Conference The Wildcats have not beaten an FBS opponent since defeating UCLA on Oct. 30, 2010.

Check back to dailywildcat.com for updates after the conclusion of Bryne’s press conference.