Holmoe resigns
Search begins for football coach’s replacement

07 November 2001 | Cal Football Coach Tom Holmoe announced Sunday his plans to resign his position following the Nov. 23 season finale at Rutgers.

Holmoe, whose contract extends through 2002, made the statement at a 5 p.m. media conference on Sunday after sharing the news with his players and coaching staff.
“Tom is one of the finest people in college athletics today,” Athletic Director Steve Gladstone said of the announcement. “His personal character and sensitivity toward others is extraordinary, and we only wish that the football program could have flourished under his direction. We certainly share in his great disappointment, and wish Tom and his family well in any future endeavors.”

A national search for Holmoe’s replacement has begun. Gladstone is heading up the search, along with executive associate athletic directors Mark Stephens and Dan Coonan. Gladstone will make the final hiring decision.

“The first step is to come up with a list of qualified candidates,” said Bob Rose, executive associate athletic director for communications. “You’ve got to talk to a lot of the sage, experienced football people who would know who the top candidates would be.

“We’re the best conference in the country,” Rose said, “so we have to get someone who has the qualities to compete in that situation, as well as the mentality to turn around what has been an unsuccessful situation. That’s different than taking over a program that’s been winning, especially in a conference that is so competitive.”

“We’ve got three weeks left in the season,” Rose noted, “and there’s going to be a window of opportunity that will only last a few weeks after the season. Timing is also an issue for recruiting, as high school seniors are more likely to commit to Cal if they know who the new coach will be.”