Arkansas Razorbacks fires Athletic Director Jeff Long.

Jeff Long is out as Arkansas' vice-chancellor and director of athletics.

Arkansas Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz made the announcement Wednesday.

Steinmetz appointed Julie Cromer Peoples, Arkansas' senior associate AD, as the interim athletic director.

Long was fired out of convenience and his contract through June 30, 2022, will be honored.

"The decision to change leadership in our Athletics Department is not an easy one, and was made after great deliberation, discussion and thought, after consultation with the Board of Trustees and President (Donald) Bobbitt,” Steinmetz said in a statement. “Since coming to Fayetteville in 2008, Jeff has led our department with character and integrity and helped move us forward in so many ways.

"However, over the past year, Jeff has lost the support of many of our fans, alumni, key supporters, and members of the university leadership, support that I believe is critical in our pursuit of excellence. I want to thank Jeff for his commitment and service to our University and to the State of Arkansas and, on behalf of the Razorback Family, I want to wish Jeff and his family all of the best in the future."

This decision was announced less than a week after the latest board of trustees meeting, in which an executive session stretched longer than three hours with Long sitting outside the room.

While no action was announced following that meeting, news continued to leak that Long was finished at UA.

Some had thought he would be allowed to stay until the $160-million north end zone construction was finished in mid-2018 or at least until he could find a job.

However, with the football team 4-6 (including 1-5 in the SEC) and an underdog the next two games, those options really weren't possible.

The fan support has dwindled with attendance slipping at both the Auburn and Coastal Carolina games.

The second half of both of those games were played with the stadium having thousands of empty seats.

Rumors have persisted of the relationship between Long and Steinmetz.

Long had an outstanding relationship G. David Gearhart, who was the previous chancellor.

However, rumors have it that Steinmetz had to remind Long of the order of command.

He expected to be informed of things related to athletics, including many of the details on the north end zone construction as well as other happenings, some things that Gearhart had given Long much more freedom to take upon himself.

The news of Long's dismissal doesn't come at a good time for Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema.

He is completing his fifth season, and currently has a record of 29-32 overall and 11-27 in the SEC. According to various sources, his status won't be announced until after the Missouri game on Nov. 24.

However, the sources also indicate that if Arkansas is blown out on Saturday, that announcement could come sooner.

It would be very much in Arkansas' best interests if they plan to hire a new football coach to have an athletic director in place prior to that, thus one of the reasons for the timing of Long's dismissal on Wednesday.