University of Kansas chancellor Douglas Girod confirmed Monday evening that he decided to fire KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger after seven years leading the department.Football and fundraising, were the primary reasons he was let go. In an email sent to KU faculty and staff Monday morning, Girod credited Zenger for his loyalty before saying, "Athletics continues to face a number of challenges, and progress in key areas has been elusive. To achieve the level of success we need and expect, I have determined a change in leadership is necessary." KU assistant athletic director Sean Lester will be interim AD, while Drue Jennings, who was interim AD in 2003 when KU hired basketball coach Bill Self, will lead the search committee. Per a contract extension signed in summer 2017, KU will owe Zenger two years' salary, or $1.4 million, for termination without cause.