SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Director of Athletics Bill Smith accepted the resignation of Bryant University head football coach Marty Fine Wednesday, as he looks to pursue other opportunities.

"I want to thank Marty Fine for his years of dedication to the program and for helping our young student-athletes develop as strong citizens and leaders of character," said Smith. "We wish him the best as he pursues new opportunities."

"This has been the best 13 years of my life," said Fine. "There is no better place to work than Bryant University, and while I am excited to pursue new opportunities, this has been the pinnacle of my coaching career. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

After becoming the program's second head coach in 2004, Fine was instrumental in the rise of Bryant Football from Division II to Division I, where he posted a 53-47 overall record and 31-25 mark in the Northeast Conference since 2008. Fine went 80-61 in 13 seasons in Smithfield, winning Division II Northeast-10 Conference titles in 2006 and 2007 to earn the program's only two NCAA playoff appearances.

In 2014, Fine guided the Bulldogs to their first Division I national ranking during an 8-3 campaign in which he was named an Eddie Robinson Award finalist. Over 13 seasons under Fine, the Bulldogs have seen 78 all-conference selections, 14 All-New England honorees and four All-Americans.

Off the field, 163 Bulldogs have been named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll during Fine's Division I tenure, and Bryant football won the Academic Progress Rate Award for the highest APR in the Northeast Conference in 2014 and 2015.

The Bulldogs finished the 2016 season 5-6 overall and 4-2 in league play.

"I am grateful for all of Coach Fine's contributions to the University, including his commitment to academics and community outreach, and for the lasting effect he has had on the lives of our student-athletes," said University President Ronald K. Machtley.

"We will begin a national search immediately to find a head coach who will continue to promote these core values and take our program to the next level," said Smith.

Offensive line coach Ed Argast has been named Bryant's interim head coach. A national search for Bryant University's next head football coach will begin immediately.