Kane to Step Down After 16 Years

Release Date:  November 17, 1998

Monmouth College Fighting Scots head football coach Kelly Kane announced his resignation Wednesday morning, concluding a 16-year career at the school.

"At any job I’ve ever done, I want the plusses to exceed the minuses," said Kane, who informed his team of the decision late Tuesday afternoon at a meeting. "The negative aspects are now exceeding the positives, and it’s time for me to go elsewhere.

"This is a direction change for me, more so than for the program. I think the program is going in the right direction."

Kane compiled a mark of 71-78, ranking him second all-time in coaching victories. Kane’s 149 games and 16 seasons are both the most in Fighting Scot history.

"Kelly is a friend, a fine football coach and the consummate professional," said athletic director Terry Glasgow. "Kelly will handle this transition with class and integrity."

Although Monmouth had fallen on hard times in recent years, going just 8-39 in the last five years, Kane will be best remembered for another five-year stretch, when the Scots recorded a 41-7 mark from 1986-1990, playing in the Midwest Conference title game three straight years beginning in 1987. The Scots won 26 consecutive regular season games in that span.

Despite the recent losses, Kane did end his career on a winning note, as the Scots won the Bronze Turkey Game against Knox Saturday to even the all-time series.

"My wife and I had made the decision about three games before (the Knox game)," said Kane, who was 10-6 in his career vs. Knox. "It was a really great way to go out. It was nice to have happen.

"This team was 10 points away from being 5-5, but that’s one of the hard facts about sports," Kane continued. "The measuring stick is an unforgiving one. A one-point victory made us very happy Saturday. The week before at Grinnell it was the other way around."

Kane’s resignation will become effective at the end of the semester.

"It was a great run, and I’m really excited to have been here," said Kane, who indicated he

would pursue some type of football-related position.

"All of us at Monmouth wish Kelly the best both personally and professionally and will do all we can to assist him in any way that we might," Glasgow concluded.