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| Castleton State athletics photo |
By Tom Haley
Castleton State football coach Marc Klatt has resigned after three years at the helm of the Spartans as announced by associate dean of athletics and recreation Deanna Tyson on Friday afternoon.
Klatt stressed Friday that he is leaving the position of his own volition.
"It was my decision," Klatt said. "It is something I have been thinking about for the last few days."
Klatt guided the Spartans to the program's high water mark in 2012 when they went 6-1 in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and had a chance at securing an NCAA playoff berth until a loss to Mount Ida in the season finale. The team did go to an ECAC Bowl that year, losing to St. John Fisher.
This year the team won its season opener but finished the campaign with nine consecutive losses after the roster was riddled by year-long suspensions for disciplinary reasons.
"When you go through a season like this year, it gets you to take stock in a lot of things," Klatt said.
"I think we have reached a point where someone else is needed to move the program forward. There comes a point where the same old tactics and strategies aren't working and it's time to move forward." Klatt said that he had come to the conclusion that he was unable to infuse the program with energy in the way he wanted to.
"I have not lost confidence in my ability and I do want to stay in education and coaching," Klatt said.
His wife Dr. Colleen Klatt is an administrator at Castleton and Marc said that they will discuss their future in the coming days.
"Marc has been an important part of the Castleton community both on and off the football field since 2008," said Tyson. "He has been a mainstay on the sidelines since the inauguration of the program, and helped guide a seamless transition when he was promoted to head coach. We appreciate all that he has done for the program and wish him the very best in his future."
Klatt spent six years at Castleton, including three as the team's defensive coordinator before taking the reins of the program in 2011.
Klatt and his wife are from the Midwest and he told the story of how the first time they drove into the Rutland-Castleton area that they immediately felt the place was for them.
He said he feels no differently today.
"I love this place," Klatt said. "And I think the football program has a good foundation.
"I am very appreciative of the support I got from the folks here; from President (David) Wolk, Deanna Tyson and the athletic administration and from the community.
"I told Dave and Deanna that it would be hypocritical for me to leave in anything other than a first-class manner. That is what we have preached here. "Everything was very amicable and we have a good relationship.
"There is nothing negative about this day. I just told the team that this is a day to be celebrated for all that we have accomplished. It is not a sad day."
After a 4-6 season in 2011 Klatt piloted the Spartans to its first winning season and a second-place finish in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference at 6-4, the season in which they went 6-1 in the ECFC. In three seasons Klatt had 21 players earn all-conference awards, and at least eight players earn conference all-academic distinction in each year. A national search for Klatt's replacement will begin immediately.
The only other full-time coach on the staff is offensive coordinator Jason Challeen who is also the recruiting coordinator.
"Jason is a good man and a good coach. He will continue to move the recruiting forward," Klatt said. "He is going to have the chance to lead his own program someday and he will do a great job."