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| Emory & Henry athletics photo |
Emory and Henry football coach Don Montgomery has resigned, citing personal reasons, athletic director Myra Sims announced Monday. Montgomery served at the helm of the Wasps' program for the past nine years, compiling a 45-45 record.
"It has been a great nine years. The toughest part is leaving the players, but I wish them the best of luck in the future," Montgomery said in a statement. "I am resigning for personal reasons and will more than likely return to Ohio to be closer to my children and grandchildren. I feel that this decision is fitting at this point in my career."
Montgomery, the former longtime defensive coordinator at Mount Union, graduated as a Purple Raider in 1977.
The Wasps went 5-5 this past season, including a 35-31 loss to Guilford in the final week, a game in which Emory and Henry started with a 31-0 lead.
During his tenure, 24 players were named to the All-ODAC First Team including Marshall Doss, Caleb Jennings and Devan Sproles, who were each named ODAC Players of the Year. Jennings earned First-Team All-America honors in 2009 and won the Lanier Award, given to Virginia's best small college player. Kyle Boden was tabbed as ODAC Scholar-Athlete and was selected to the Academic All-America Second Team last year.
"Emory and Henry was fortunate to have a man like Don Montgomery at the helm of the football program over these last nine years. I have tremendous respect for his work ethic and for his dedication to coaching and to the sport of football," commented Sims. "Coach Montgomery is a leader who has displayed great loyalty to the student-athletes on his teams as he truly cares about helping them to develop into men of character and class. I know that he has made a difference in the lives of many young men. I wish Coach Montgomery the best of luck as he moves into the next phase of his life and career."
A nationwide search for the Wasps' next football coach will begin immediately. Until a new head coach is named, current associate head coach Rob Grande will serve as acting head coach.