ERIE, Pa. – Gannon head football coach Jim Kiernan has announced that he will step down on March 3 due to personal reasons.

Assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Brad Rzyczycki has been named interim head coach and will lead and support the players and coaching staff through the transition until a new head coach is named. A national search for Gannon's next head football coach will begin immediately.

“I have truly enjoyed coming to work every day and helping make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes,” said Kiernan. “While I have a great competitive spirit, this profession is very demanding. As a head coach, the commitment level is 24/7. People entrust you with their most valued gift - their sons. However, in respecting that obligation, I need to focus my attention back to taking care of my own personal and family matters.

“This decision is certainly a difficult one for me, having had the privilege to be involved in the game of football for the last 28 years of my life. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and support Gannon University has demonstrated to both me and our program. I can't begin to thank our coaches and their families enough for their sacrifices and commitment over the years.

“Most of all, I am honored and grateful for the chance to have worked with so many fine student-athletes during my time at Gannon. The memories they have created and the chance to be a part of their lives is something that I will always be thankful for.”

Kiernan most recently completed his fifth season as the head coach of the Gannon football program. He rejuvenated a program that was 1-10 the year before his arrival into one with back-to-back winning seasons in 2009 and 2010. It represented the first consecutive winning campaigns since 1995.

More importantly, Gannon football student-athletes have excelled in the classroom under Kiernan's tutelage. Golden Knights have earned conference all-academic honors 72 times during his first four seasons at Gannon. The 2011-12 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athletes will not be released until the end of the academic year. In addition, three student-athletes have been named to the academic all-district teams while Connor Kimball was named to the PSAC Fall Top 10 in 2010-11.

“Jim has been a tremendous asset to our football program, the Department of Athletics and the entire University,” said Gannon Director of Athletics Mark Richard. “He has always demanded excellence from the student-athletes in his program on the field, in the classroom and in the community. His work ethic is second to none and he has always been considered a highly respected football coach and person. We wish Jim the best and Gannon University will always be here for him and his family.”

Gannon has produced a plethora of noteworthy victories during the last three seasons. In 2010, the Golden Knights defeated both the defending PSAC champion at the time (Shippensburg, 22-19) and the eventual PSAC champion (Mercyhurst, 14-10). They also knocked off traditional power Indiana (Pa.) (45-17) and Slippery Rock (24-20) during the 2010 campaign. Gannon added another victory last season against Mercyhurst (30-27), as well as one against 2011 conference finalist Slippery Rock (33-27). One of the biggest victories in school history arguably came during the 2009 season finale when the Golden Knights defeated nationally-ranked Bloomsburg 10-7 in overtime, securing the program's first winning season since 2003 and knocking the Huskies out of postseason contention.

“The team was surprised when he told us this morning, but we understand his reasoning,” said team captain and Gannon Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President (SAAC) Will Giles. “We wish him the best of luck and always support him. Coach Kiernan always looked out for us. It was not always solely about football when it came to the student-athletes. He cared about us on and off the field. His phone was always on and his door was always open. He helped us grow into men.”

Gannon players have received all-conference accolades 25 times, all-region honors 10 times and all-america selections six times during Kiernan's five seasons at the helm. In addition, Gannon was represented at the Cactus Bowl (NCAA Division II All-Star Game) in 2008 and 2009. Defensive lineman Chris Murphy was selected to participate in the 2008 event while tailback Jon Richardson played in the 2009 edition. Only three players in school history had played in the all-star game prior to Murphy and Richardson being invited. Most recently, Randy Colling was a finalist for the NCAA Division II Lineman of the Year Award.

Golden Knights have been featured in front of professional scouts numerous times during Kiernan's tenure. Tailback Tyler Batts and quarterback Zach Boedicker were selected to play in the 2010 FCS Senior Scout Bowl. The two Golden Knights were the only non-NCAA Division I-AA players on the North Team and two of only five NCAA Division II players invited to play on either team. The remainder of both rosters was filled with NCAA Division I-AA players.

Rzyczycki assumes the responsibilities of interim head coach after five seasons as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. The Twinsburg, Ohio, native has directed one of the PSAC's top defenses the last four seasons. The Golden Knights finished last season among the conference's top half in scoring defense (25.2), total defense (349.5), rushing defense (140.2), interceptions (16), sacks (33), opponent third-down conversion (33.3) and red zone defense (70.2).

“Coach Kiernan did a tremendous job during his five seasons as head coach,” said Rzyczycki. “It has been a honor to serve on his coaching staff and we are going to do everything possible to continue the success he brought to this program - on and off the field. We were saddened to hear the news, but we will not let him down. The entire program remains excited to continue the tradition and goals Coach Kiernan brought to this program.”

Gannon ranked first among PSAC teams during the 2010 season in red zone defense (61.5), second in scoring defense (18.8), fourth in passing defense (179.7), fifth in total defense (304.7) and sixth in rushing defense (125.0). The squad finished ninth nationally in sacks per game (3.27), 20th in tackles for a loss per game (7.91), 25th in turnover margin (0.82) and 26th in total defense (304.73).