Iowa State University fired football Coach Jim...

Iowa State University fired football Coach Jim Criner Wednesday in what school President Gordon Eaton said was a result of a National Collegiate Athletic Assn. investigation into alleged recruiting violations.

The firing climaxed a stormy 21-month period that began when Criner kicked his two starting wide receivers off the team and included the arrest of several players on criminal charges. Then came the announcement of the NCAA investigation, which in July resulted in 34 allegations of wrongdoing.

Criner, who was in his fourth season with the Cyclones, had a 16-24-2 record at Iowa State, including a 5-4 mark this year. He will be paid salary and benefits accruable to him through Feb. 28, 1988, his contract termination date, the school said.

Chuck Banker, assistant coach, will replace Criner for the last two games of the season.