LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- St. Edward football coach Rick Finotti is leaving the Eagles program to become the new director of football operations at the University of Michigan, the high school announced Friday.

The news first surfaced on Twitter from a coach clinic Michigan's Jim Harbaugh was conducting as Angelique S. Chengelis of the Detroit News posted the following:

Harbaugh just introduced to the crowd @RickFinotti as the director of football operations — angelique (@chengelis) March 13, 2015

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In a news release issued by St. Edward, Finotti said the opportunity was too good to pass up.

"This happened very quickly over the past week," Finotti said. "It's been a privilege to be part of the St. Edward community, to coach incredibly hard working young men, and to help them achieve their goals. It is a difficult decision to leave St. Edward, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Finotti, who started coaching at St. Edward in 2009, won two state championships and finished with a record of 62-15 during his six seasons. He had never been a head coach before the job, and came over from Mayfield, where he was the defensive coordinator.

St. Edward said it will begin an immediate search for a new coach and that coordinators Pete Pappas and Dan Scanlon will manage the team until a new coach is hired.

"If I am able to leave any legacy at St. Edward High School, it's that I worked my hardest to contribute to a culture of excellence, assisted in the spiritual, academic and physical development of my players, and am handing off a program that will achieve at the highest level for years to come," Finotti said in the news release.

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Last year, Finotti was in line to become Strongsville's coach, but ultimately decided to stay at St. Edward.

Finotti and Eagles athletic director Paul Michalko have not returned messages.