DALLAS -- Although Mike Cavan failed to rebuild Southern Methodist the way he did his two previous programs, he didn't want anyone -- especially his players -- to think of him as a quitter.

That's why Cavan will coach the Mustangs (3-6, 3-4 WAC) for their final two games, Saturday against Rice and Dec. 1 at North Carolina, despite being fired Monday.

"I've always asked my kids to never quit, and I wasn't going to quit on them," said Cavan, 21-33 in five seasons. "The players mean a whole lot to me. I've had a great opportunity to work with some great kids here at SMU.

"I'll miss the camaraderie with the coaches and players more than anything. That is the hardest part."

Cavan, who had two years left on his contract, read a statement at a stadium news conference with his wife and daughter present. He became emotional at the end and left without answering questions.

"I am confident of where I am in my life," he said. "I'm looking forward to the next two weeks and I'm looking forward to winning some ballgames. I've had a wonderful time here."

Cavan came to SMU in 1997 after kick-starting moribund programs at Division II Valdosta State and I-AA East Tennessee State.

He lived up to his reputation when his first team went 6-5, the school's first winning season since coming back from the NCAA's death penalty in 1989.

But Cavan couldn't keep it up. The Mustangs went 5-7 the following year, then 4-6 and 3-9. Their only victories this season are against San Jose State, Texas-El Paso and Tulsa, all among the bottom five teams in the WAC. Nevada, also in that group, beat SMU.

Athletic director Jim Copeland said he expected a winning season. Once it was apparent that wasn't going to happen, he started thinking about potential replacements.

Copeland was ready to start talking to candidates and didn't feel it would be proper without the job being officially open. He broke the news to Cavan on Sunday night. Copeland said the coach seemed relieved and probably expected it.

"The marked improvement I expected this year has not happened," Copeland said. "I'd seen enough that I felt we needed to make a change."

Copeland said the next coach must be able to sell the program to fans, boosters, media and recruits, plus have a background in Xs and Os from both sides of the ball. He'd prefer Division I-A coaching experience, but would be willing to hire someone who has been a coordinator.

Last year, SMU moved into $57 million Ford Stadium, an on-campus facility expected to help draw more recruits and more fans.

The Mustangs beat Kansas in a sold-out opener, but by season's end weren't coming close to filling the 32,000-seat stadium. Empty seats have been the norm again this season.

Cavan has a career record of 88-82-2 in 16 seasons as a head coach. He was an assistant coach at Georgia, his alma mater, from 1973-85.

The Mustangs won the national title in 1980 and won four Southeastern Conference championships while he was on the staff of Vince Dooley.