GOLDEN, Colo., Dec. 17, 2014 – After 15 seasons and more than 100 victories, Colorado School of Mines Head Football Coach Bob Stitt is moving on to coach a Division I team at the University of Montana.
Stitt became the Mines program's all-time wins leader with his 85th in the 2012 season opener against William Jewell to pass Mines legend Marv Kay '63. He eclipsed the 100-win plateau in this seasons' 46-0 shutout of William Jewell and now owns a career 108-62 (.635) all-time record, including an 83-44 record in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games.
“The past 15 years at Colorado School of Mines have been very special to me and my family. I will miss all of the students, faculty and administration who helped me during my tenure as head football coach. I am sad that I will not be coaching the great group of men who return to Mines next fall, but I am confident they will do great things in the future,” Stitt said.
During his tenure at Mines, Stitt coached a grand total of 153 All-RMAC performers, 39 All-Region selections and 16 All-Americans. He held a .635 winning percentage during 15 seasons at the helm of the Oredigger football program – the highest in school history for a coach with at least 20 games under his belt.
In 2004, Stitt led the Orediggers to the best season in school history as the team went undefeated (8-0) in conference play and captured its first RMAC title since 1958. In addition, the 2004 squad posted a perfect 11-0 mark in the regular season and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in program history. Stitt was instrumental in helping senior quarterback Chad Friehauf win the 19th Annual Harlon Hill Trophy in 2004 as the top player in NCAA Division II. Friehauf, who established an NCAA Division II single-season record for passing yards (4,646) in 2004, became the first player from Mines and the RMAC to win the Harlon Hill Trophy.
The record-setting 2004 season helped earn Stitt RMAC Coach of the Year, Division II AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year and d2football.com Southwest Regional Coach of the Year accolades.
“Coach Stitt has been a valuable member of our school community. He has helped build Mines football into one of the top Division II football programs in the country. We wish him all the best in his new job at the University of Montana,” said David Hansburg, Mines director of athletics.
Mines will immediately begin the process to seek Stitt’s replacement.
Contact:
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3541 | kgilbert@mines.edu
Kathleen Morton, Communications Coordinator, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3088 | kmorton@mines.edu