"It is very evident that Kandi and our vice president, who again rarely ever come out to watch a football practice, they believed that tough, physical football practices is not appropriate at Maryville College," Ierulli told the Knoxville News Sentinel. Photo by Bruce Lee for d3photography.com

The search is underway for a new head football coach at Maryville. Athletic director Kandis Schram announced Monday that Tony Ierulli is being replaced after nine years at the helm of the football program.

“On Nov. 23, Maryville College issued a statement to inquiring media that Tony Ierulli was no longer its head football coach,” Schram said. “The delay in making a formal and public announcement was at the request of Coach Ierulli.”

Schram said that a search committee is being formed currently to select the next coach, adding that details will be announced at a later date.

The Scots ended the 2011 campaign with an overall record of 4-6. They finished fourth in the USA South Athletic Conference.

Schram said the decision to end Ierulli’s nine-year tenure at the college was a difficult one, but one she believed was in the best interest of the athletics department and student-athletes.

“I want to thank Tony for his commitment to Maryville College athletics,” she said. “His hire as coach brought new life to a program that was in a downward spiral. His efforts in the last nine seasons have displayed his enthusiasm and tenacity.”

A 1980 graduate of Maryville, Ierulli accepted the offer to head the Scots’ football program in January 2003. Since then, his teams have compiled a 39-51 record. Their five-year record in the USA South Athletic Conference is 24-25.

“Wins and losses are not the total measure of success in a Division III college athletic program,” she explained. “We also measure success by how well we develop the total student-athlete through high-quality competition that stresses excellence and helps them grow and learn.”

Before returning to his alma mater, Ierulli was defensive coordinator at Shippensburg University, where he was named Division II Assistant Coach of the Year in 2002. Other coaching jobs included linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator under Terry Bowden at Samford University and defensive coordinator under Rocky Rees at Susquehanna.

“As a fellow alum of Maryville College, as well as the athletics director, I am proud of Tony’s many coaching accomplishments and wish him well in whatever he decides to do going forward,” she added.