Kolb steps down from UMR offensive coordinator spot

Marc Kolb

ROLLA, Mo. -- Marc Kolb, who guided the top passing offense in NCAA Division II during the 2006 season as the offensive coordinator of the University of Missouri-Rolla football team, is stepping down from the position to take a similar post at Tusculum College.

“This move is both exciting and saddening for my family,” Kolb said. “We are thrilled to be joining the staff at Tusculum College but we will deeply miss the many great friends we have made at UMR over the past five seasons.”

“I am sorry to see Marc go. He did an excellent job in improving the offense,” said UMR director of athletics Mark Mullin. “I know he is excited about a new opportunity and will enjoy being closer to his family. We all wish him the best in his new position. He leaves us with a great deal of offensive talent that creates an attractive situation for potential candidates.”

“The stability Marc has provided in our program has allowed us to improve the program dramatically and we wish him the best at Tusculum,” said Miner head coach Kirby Cannon. “His work has really upgraded the level of offensive production to a level that has never been seen before at this school. We hate to see him go, but hopefully we’ll be able to continue the improvement we’ve made with the next coach we hire.”

During his five seasons at UMR, Kolb led an offensive unit that finished first in the nation in passing last fall with an average of 350.9 yards per game and had the national total offense leader in quarterback Joe Winters. UMR has ranked among the top four teams in the nation in passing offense in each of the last three seasons and finished eighth in total offense in 2006.

The Miners have set numerous school records over the last five years, including marks for scoring (379 points in 2005), total offense (4,772 yards in 2005) and passing yards (3,860 in 2006).

“Every year, there are a couple of players that you can’t wait to see on the football field,” Kolb said. “I will miss not being able to see guys like Ashton Gronewold and Mike Greaving finish their careers at UMR. My toughest moment was when I had to tell the players I was leaving. Unfortunately, that is the business aspect of college athletics but it was still a very emotional time.”

Mullin said the search has started to fill the vacancy.

Tusculum, which is located in Greenville, Tenn., is an NCAA Division II institution that plays in the South Atlantic Conference. The school had the No. 17-ranked defense in the nation last season but struggled on the other side of the ball as it ranked near the bottom of its conference in total offense.