MEADVILLE, Pa. -- Allegheny College head football coachhas announced his resignation to become the head football coach at Bowdoin College (Maine)."I want to thank everyone in the Allegheny community -- President Mullen, the administrators, former Athletic Director Portia Hoeg, the passionate alumni I've gotten to know the last three years and, most importantly, the football players I've had the opportunity to coach and mentor," said Hammer. "We've accomplished a lot the last three years and I take great pride with our football players in restoring Allegheny to a winning program. There's never a good time to leave; however, an amazing opportunity for my family and me materialized over the holidays, and I feel that I am leaving Allegheny in a great position moving forward."Hammer was named the 34th head coach in the storied history of Allegheny football, and was announced to the position on January 4, 2016."Allegheny College deeply appreciates the extraordinary job that B.J. has done for Gator Football," said Allegheny College President James H. Mullen, Jr. "He has set us on a very strong foundation for the future. On a personal level, I wish he and his family every success at Bowdoin."Hammer took the program from winless in the season before his hire (2015) and led the Gators to six wins this past season, building upon one win in 2016 and three wins in 2017. Overall, his record was 10-20, including 9-18 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), and his teams produced 12 All-NCAC selections, highlighted by three First Team picks and 2018 Special Teams Player of the Year,"We are grateful for the contributions that Coach Hammer has made to our football program over the past three seasons," said Interim Director of Athletics. "He has helped to restore the winning tradition of our football program that we strive for at Allegheny College. Even though we are saddened to see Coach Hammer and his family leave the College and community, we are excited for the opportunity that this next adventure presents them."A national search for the 35th head coach in Allegheny College history will commence immediately. While the search is ongoing, Recruiting Coordinatorwill serve as the primary point of contact for the program.