March
23, 2006
Release courtesy of Tim Calderwood, Loras College sports information
director
DUBUQUE,
IOWA . . . Loras College Head Football Coach Chris
Klieman announced the resignation of his post today,
effective immediately. Klieman has accepted a coaching job on
the staff of Mark Farley at the University of Northern Iowa,
the 2005 Gateway Conference champion and NCAA Division I-AA
runner-up.
“I
am extremely grateful for the time I spent at Loras over the
past four years,” Klieman said. “Loras will always
hold a special place in my heart as my first opportunity to
be a head coach came here. This has been a difficult decision
for my family and me because of the great experiences we’ve
had at Loras and all the support we have received through my
four years. UNI presents me with the opportunity to coach at
my alma mater as well as go back home. The chance to continue
to grow professionally as well to be close to family makes this
an opportunity that I feel is best for my family and me.”
Klieman
was hired as the head coach at Loras in January 2005 after serving
as defensive coordinator for three years. He guided the Duhawks
to a 3-7 mark in his first year at the helm that saw several
key players suffer season ending injuries.
“Chris
has served every angle of Loras with class and dignity during
his tenure,” Athletic Director Chad Walthall said. “Leaving
for UNI was a very good fit for Chris professionally and personally
as it gives him an opportunity to go home to his alma mater.
He will be missed and I wish him the very best in the future.”
In
Klieman’s time at Loras, he turned the Duhawks into one
of the top defenses in the Iowa Conference. When he took over
the Loras defense was ranked ninth in the conference. The 2005
defense led the Iowa Conference in pass defense (147.6 ypg)
and ranked 33rd nationally in total yards (282.4 ypg) and scoring
(16.8 ppg).
Klieman
earned both his bachelor’s (Health Education – 1990)
and master’s (Physical Education – 1992) degrees
from UNI. Klieman was a three-time All-Gateway Conference defensive
back for the Panthers. Klieman was also a four-year letterwinner
for the Panthers from 1986-1990.
A
national search for his replacement at Loras will begin immediately.
Below
is a list of Klieman’s coaching accomplishments in his
time at Loras:
~Coached
six all-conference players in 2005
~Coached 2005 Gagliardi Trophy Finalist (Ross Dillavou)
~Coached 2005 d3football.com First Team All-American (Ross Dillavou)
~Coached 2005 First Team All-West Region (Ross Dillavou)
~2005 defense led Iowa Conference in pass defense (147.6 ypg)
~2004 school record fewest rushing yards allowed (933, 93.3pg)
~2004 defense ranked 21st in the nation in rushing yards allowed
~11 defensive players earned all-conference under Klieman
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