Football | 1/24/2012 9:51:00 AM
McPherson, Kan. – McPherson College director of athletics Doug Quint announced Monday that Joe Bettasso has resigned his position as head coach of the Bulldog football program. Defensive coordinator Mike Silva will serve as the primary contact for the program as the department conducts a search for its new head coach.
Bettasso was promoted from defensive coordinator to McPherson’s 27
th head coach in program history in February 2010.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Joe (Bettasso) over the past two years,” said McPherson athletic director Doug Quint. “Joe’s goals at McPherson were not only to coach football, but to educate young men about the importance of teamwork and an education, which is a quality that will definitely be missed. Joe has a great knowledge of the game and has a bright future. I wish him the best of luck.”
During his two-year tenure as head coach, Bettasso was 14-8 overall, with a 13-5 record in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. He was named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year and KCAC Coach of the Year following the 2010 season in which he guided McPherson to its first conference championship since 1952 and its second consecutive appearance in the NAIA Football Championship Series.
“Leaving McPherson College is a bittersweet for me,” said Bettasso. “I’m going to miss the faculty, staff and students that make up the McPherson College family. I want to especially thank the student-athletes and coaches that made my tenure at McPherson successful.”
In addition to wins, Bettasso coached seven All-Americans, 34 all-conference selections and eight scholar-athlete award winners, including junior quarterback Jacob Snodgrass who was named the Capital One-CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year in December.
Bettasso leaves McPherson to become the defensive backs coach at NCAA Division II Quincy University (Ill.). Quincy, who opens its inaugural season in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2012, finished 2011 with a 4-6 record, including a 0-4 mark in its final season as part of the Mid-States Football Association.
“I’m excited for this next chapter in my life,” continued Bettasso. “Quincy provides me an opportunity for learning and growth as a young coach.”
The Hawks recently named Tom Pajic as their new head coach. Pajic heads to Quincy after spending the previous eight years as the offensive coordinator at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania.
McPherson College plans to post the opening on the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) websites.
