ORONO — Jack Cosgrove, a staple on the University of Maine sideline for nearly 23 years and the football coach to record the most wins in program history, is stepping down from that position, effective immediately.
Maine Athletic Director Karlton Creech announced the move in a release early Tuesday morning, and said a national search for a head football coach will begin immediately.
According to Kreech, Cosgrove will transition into the position of senior associate director of athletics and remain with the University.
Joe Harasymiak has been named head coach on an interim basis during the search.
“It is with great excitement that we welcome Jack onto our senior leadership team in the Department of Athletics,” Creech said in a release. “Our entire department will now benefit from Jack’s many talents. His successful tenure as our head football coach has prepared him perfectly for this new role, and the list of ways that he can help our department is seemingly endless.
“For me personally, Jack’s new role will be invaluable. Jack’s passion for UMaine Athletics is unmatched,” Creech added. “I can’t wait to get to work with him as we develop a new vision for Maine Athletics.”
Cosgrove, named UMaine’s head coach on Feb. 22, 1993, has a career 129-135 record. Under Cosgrove’s leadership, the team has won three conference championships and made five NCAA postseason appearances.
“I am honored to accept this position and embrace an opportunity to work toward a new vision for UMaine athletics,” Cosgrove said in the release.” I am excited by Karlton Creech’s leadership and commitment to excellence. I believe together we can profoundly influence the future of UMaine athletics.”
After graduating from UMaine in 1978, Cosgrove spent two years as a graduate assistant with the Black Bears. Following a two-year stint at Boston College, he returned to UMaine in 1987 as the coach for quarterbacks and receivers, helping guide the team to its first NCAA playoff appearance. Cosgrove was promoted to pass game coordinator in 1988 before being named Maine’s offensive coordinator in 1989.
As a student-athlete, Cosgrove was a two-time second-team All-Yankee Conference quarterback and an ECAC All-Star for the Black Bears. Cosgrove currently ranks as the 10th all-time leading passer in Maine football history with 2,836 career yards.
Including his undergraduate years and his assistant coaching tenures at Maine, Cosgrove has been with the University of Maine for 34 years, more than any current Colonial Athletic Association head coach.
“I have known Jack Cosgrove for more than two decades and have tremendous respect for what he has been able to accomplish as our head football coach,” University of Maine President Susan Hunter said in the release. “I appreciate his longevity and loyalty in the service of his alma mater, and his tireless devotion to the success of student-athletes.”
This story will be updated.
Jack Cosgrove, by the numbers:
23: Seasons as head coach at UMaine
129: Career wins, most in school-history
90: League wins, fourth most in league history
3: NCAA Playoff victories
264: Games coached, more than any other head coach in program history
20: All-Americans coached
3: NFL Draft Picks
3: Buck Buchanan Award finalists (FCS Defensive Player of the Year)
2013 & 2004: defeated FBS opponents (UMass/Mississippi St.)
2002: School-record 11 wins
2013: hosted first ever NCAA playoff game at Alfond Stadium (vs. UNH)
2013: Maine Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
2013, 2008, 2001: Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year finalist
2013: CAA Coach of the Year & American Football Coaches Association FCS Region 1 Co-Coach of the Year, Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Bowl/Championship Division Head Coach of the Year,
2013 & 2011: New England Football Writers FCS Coach of the Year
2001: American Football Monthly I-AA National Coach of the Year
2001 & 1996: Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year
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