Head Football Coach Andy Carr Resigns

VSN ( admin ) Published Wednesday, July 19, 2017 - 02:30 PM

ABERDEEN, SD – Head football coach Andy Carr has accepted the position of director of development for the University of South Dakota Foundation, Presentation College's Athletic Director Greg Heier announced Tuesday. Carr will also serve as associate athletic director for development in the USD Athletic Department.

"I thank Coach Carr for his outstanding work in establishing the football program at Presentation College," said Heier. "The team has shown consistent improvement from its inception not only in competition but in the classroom. Equally important for the future, Coach Carr has developed an outstanding coaching staff and attracted a quality group of student-athletes leaving our program well positioned to continue the progress in 2017. I wish Coach Carr well as he assumes an administrative position which has been a goal for Coach Carr."

Carr, who has been with the Saints since their inaugural season in 2011, has built the PC football program from the ground up. Under Carr's leadership, the Saints football team recorded numerous academic and athletic achievements. Since the 3-7 record during the inaugural season, Carr and his staff have improved to a 7-3 record in 2016, which is the best record in program history. Additionally, during Carr's seven years with the green and gold, he led the program through the transition of being an NCAA DIII member to the NAIA and the North Star Athletic Conference (NSAA).

Off the field, the Saints have tackled the classroom. In the four years in the NAIA and NSAA, Coach Carr has had 39 players named to the NSAA All-Scholar Team and 21 named to the Daktronics-NAIA All-Scholar Athlete Team. Furthermore, the Saints football team lead the nation in the NAIA this past season with 12 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes.

In four years in the NAIA and North Star Athletic Association, Coach Carr has had 32 players named to the NSAA's All-Conference Team and 11 All-Americans. In 2016, standout defensive end Jeff Branch, became the first Saint in program history to land on the AFCA First-Team Defense Team and earn an NAIA Defensive Player-of-the-Week award.

In addition to the many individual accomplishments, the team has experienced a great deal of success under Carr's direction. In the 2016 season, Carr's defense ranked 2nd in the nation in Turnovers Forced (34), 2nd in Opp. Pass Eff. (88.1), 4th in Passing Yds Allowed/Game (136.8), 6th in Yards Allowed/Game (276.1), 7th in Opp. 4th Down Conv. (26.9%), and 10th in Opp. 3rd Down Conv. (30.7%) while his offense ranked 16th in Total Scoring (34.1).

"I am very excited for this opportunity to become the Director of Development and Associate AD for the University of South Dakota," explained Carr. "Throughout my career in the coaching ranks I always felt in my heart that I would eventually work in administration. That time has come, and I am ready to get started with this amazing opportunity. I want to thank former President Lorraine Hale and former Athletic Director Rick Kline for giving me the opportunity to start this program back in 2010. I also want to thank current President Huber and Athletic Director Greg Heier, and all members of administration in between, for the opportunities they have provided me and the program. Most importantly, I want to thank all of the players, coaches, and parents, for trusting me and being the driving force in building the program into what it has become."

Heier also announced that Presentation's defensive coordinator, Chuck Miesbauer, will assume the interim head-coaching role for the Saints pending a national search.

Go Saints!