Miami Student

Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: Front Page

Miami is now in the process of replacing Montgomery, who has been at Miami for seven years and head coach since 2005.

After posting its second 2-10 record in three years, the RedHawks are now looking for a new football head coach.

Miami University Athletic Director Brad Bates announced Saturday that Shane Montgomery resigned from his position as head coach of Miami's football team.

"Shane Montgomery is an extraordinary person who has contributed to our department, university and community in exceptional ways," Bates said. "Ultimately, however, our responsibility to Miami University is to maximize our students' development, and we believe that winning championships facilitates student growth and development in substantial and meaningful ways. Our competitive success in the past few years has not reflected the lofty standards of excellence we expect."

Montgomery was hired to replace the late Terry Hoeppner after Hoeppner left to coach at Indiana University. After four years at the helm of the Red and White, Montgomery has posted a 17-31 record that includes a losing effort in last year's MAC championship game against Central Michigan University. Montgomery's exit marks only the third time since 1911 a Miami head coach has left the program with a losing record.

Without a current head coach, Bates assures Miami fans that recruiting will not come to a halt. While Montgomery has departed, Bates has made it clear that his now former assistants are still working on getting the best class possible.

"All of our assistants are still under contract," Bates said. "They'll continue to work and recruit. It's harder when you don't know who the head coach is. We have people verbally committed, but we're not going to take any more until head coach is hired."

While Montgomery left the school on a low-note, his seven years as a member of Miami's coaching staff did see highlights. As a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, Montgomery was crucial to the development of current NFL superstar Ben Roethlisberger and former Indianapolis Colt Josh Betts. Montgomery led the Red and White to shares of the MAC East title twice in four years and was intricate in the rebirth of one of the nation's most historic programs when in 2003 the RedHawks suffered just one loss on their way to a GMAC Bowl win in Mobile, Ala.

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