Football coach resigns

Peterson leaves with 1-49 record

Oberlin's head football coach Pete Peterson resigned officially from the College Thrusday, ending an often trying tenure.

"The past five seasons have been a tremendous challenge," Peterson said. "I have experienced many positive moments at Oberlin as well as some difficult times, but I have no regrets."

Peterson will probably be best remembered as the coach who brought a victory to Yeomen football-last year's 18-17 victory over Thiel-that broke a four-year losing streak; three of those years, of course, were under his tenure. Peterson's final record as an Oberlin coach stands at 1-49 after this year's 0-10 showing.

The resignation was officially announced by Dean of the College of Arts and Science Clayton Koppes today. "Pete is a quality individual who has put a tremendous amount of energy into the football program and his presence will be missed," he said. "However, this will afford us an opportunity to reexamine the football program and take steps to ensure a more successful future."

Peterson came to Oberlin in 1994 from Forbes Recruit Evaluation in Miami, Fla. He had also worked as an assistant football coach at Wittenberg University, Brown University, Capital University, Eureka College and Kenyon College.

Peterson's resignation is not without controversy. Sources throughout the week suggested Peterson was forced to resign. One source in the athletic department, who preferred to remain anonymous, said Peterson's departure stemmed from tension betweeen hismelf and Athletic Director Mike Muska. After the hiring of Muska at the beginning of the year Peterson was "a marked man," according to the source.

Muska, however, said he wasn't involved in the resignation. He did say that the athletic department is in a state of transition, and that changes would be made in several other areas of the football program. He referred all questions on the current situation, however, to Koppes and President Nancy Dye.

The departure of Peterson recalls the historical discontinuity of the Oberlin football program, which went through five coaches in 10 years before Peterson's five-year tenure. One football player said Peterson began with a handicap. "He came into a bad situation, but he tried his best, and I guess he felt it was time to move on," the player said.

Many other players were uninformed or confused about Peterson's status on Thursday night. "One day I'll hear he's going to be gone, the next I'll hear he's definitely going to be here next year," another player said. "I really don't know what's going on," yet another player said.

Pete Peterson: After five seasons and a 1-49 record, Football Coach Pete Peterson resigned this week. (photo courtesy S.I.D.)