BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Even a strong finish couldn't save Cam Cameron's job.

Cameron, who was 18-37 in his five years at Indiana, was fired Wednesday as football coach even though the Hoosiers won four of their last five games.

"Five years is an important time to demonstrate success on the field and in the classroom," athletic director Michael McNeely said. "We expect to be successful on the field and in the classroom.

"There is not compelling evidence that the current direction of the football program will yield a higher level of competitive success" with Cameron, McNeely said.

Cameron, who has three years left on his contract, did not attend the news conference. He will be paid about $150,000 a year in base salary for the next three years. His total compensation package, including retirement benefits and additional payments, will total about $183,000 for each of the next three years.

A handful of players attended the news conference but stood in the back of the room with sullen expressions and did not talk about the decision.

McNeely said he made his decision Tuesday night, slept on it, then made his recommendation to IU President Myles Brand.

"I accept our athletic director's assessment that the team's on-field performance has been disappointing during Cam's tenure," Brand said in a statement.

Cameron's best season was his last, when he went 5-6.

McNeely will head the search committee for a new coach. He said finding the right candidate could take up to one month.

He said he did not have any candidates on a "short list," but he did outline some of the qualifications he would seek: Division I-A leadership experience, demonstrated proficiency in all facets of the game, integrity for compliance with NCAA rules and proven ability to win.

"I have not contacted anyone, but I am, obviously, aware of people in general in the profession," McNeely said. "The most important thing is getting the appropriate leader for our program."

Until this season, Cameron's Hoosiers struggled.

In three of his first four seasons either the offense or defense was ranked among the worst in the nation.

Cameron won just eight Big Ten games in his first four years, and the last two seasons, the Hoosiers had the worst attendance in the Big Ten. Cameron also was the only conference coach who hadn't qualified for a bowl game.

Cameron, 40, came to Indiana in 1997 after three years as quarterbacks coach with the Washington Redskins and the previous 10 years as an assistant at Michigan. The job with the Hoosiers was his first as a head coach.

His first season, after he replaced the fired Bill Mallory, produced a 2-9 record. The Hoosiers improved to 4-7 in each of the next two years but dipped to 3-8 in 2000 despite having one of the nation's most exciting players, quarterback Antwaan Randle El.

Randle El finished fifth among major college's all-time leaders in total offense, while Levron Williams rushed for 1,406 yards, 66 yards short of the Big Ten rushing title. Both of them this week were named to the All-Big Ten first team.

The Hoosiers' 4-4 conference record this season was their best since 1994.