Feb. 28, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University head football coach Jack Harbaugh announced his resignation Friday, effective immediately. Harbaugh has no immediate plans, but indicated that he wanted to take the next few months to pursue other opportunities.
He told his players in a team meeting that, "now was the time to step away, while he was at the pinnacle of his coaching career." Harbaugh was selected the American Football Coaches Association national Coach of the Year after leading the Hilltoppers to a 12-3 record and the school's first NCAA Division I-AA championship.
"Although the announcement was unexpected, I'm happy for coach Harbaugh and his family," said WKU Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig. "He leaves on his own terms, which in the coaching profession is sometimes very difficult to do.
"Our immediate task will be to locate an individual with many of the same outstanding characteristics and qualities of coach Harbaugh. We have met with the team to solicit their feedback and input for coach Harbaugh's successor."
Harbaugh joined the Hilltoppers as head coach in February 1989 after two seasons as assistant head coach at the University of Pittsburgh. In 14 seasons on the Hill, he compiled a 91-68 mark, including seven consecutive winning seasons and four NCAA I-AA playoff berths in the last six years. He was selected the AFCA Region 3, and Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year, and finished third in the voting for the Eddie Robinson Award, given to the top coach in I-AA, after leading WKU to an 11-2 mark and the league title in 2000, and was also named the 1997 Division I-AA Independents and AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year.
Under his guidance, WKU is the only I-AA school in the nation to rank in the top 10 in rushing offense every year since 1991, a run that now stands at 12 straight seasons. Thirty-three student-athletes have earned All-America recognition, including three who were named first- or second-team Academic All-America.
"I was surprised by the news of coach Harbaugh's resignation," Western President Dr. Gary Ransdell said. "But, I understand his desire to take on new challenges. I'd love for Jack to remain at the university and continue his success, but respect his wishes.
"The University and I am personally grateful for Jack's contributions to Western Kentucky over his 14 seasons."
The 63-year-old Harbaugh, a veteran of 41 years in the coaching ranks - 36 of those at the college level - previously spent five seasons as head coach at Western Michigan. And, he has been an assistant at Pittsburgh, Michigan, Iowa, Stanford, Bowling Green State and Morehead State. He played college football at Bowling Green State, lettering three times as a defensive back and quarterback. BGSU went 24-3-2 in his three varsity seasons and the Falcons were small college national champs (9-0-0) his junior year. He also lettered twice in baseball.
Selig will begin an immediate search for his successor.
- WKU -
