Posted on 10/17/2003 5:20:44 PM PDT by WKB
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State coach Jackie Sherrill announced his retirement Friday, effective at the end of this season.
Sherrill, the winningest coach in school history, posted a letter on the school's athletic Web site, saying he told Mississippi State president Charles Lee and athletic director Larry Templeton about his decision earlier this week.
"I feel this advance notice gives the administration ample time to hire a new head football coach and make sure the football program continues to get back to where everyone wants it to be and it deserves to be," Sherrill wrote.
The Bulldogs are 2-4 heading into Saturday's game at Auburn and are coming off two straight three-win seasons. It is the worst stretch of Sherrill's 26-year career, which includes stops at Pittsburgh and Texas A&M.
Mississippi State's recent failures have led to rampant speculation about the 59-year-old coach's future in his 13th season in Starkville, though a two-game winning streak has muffled some of the grumbling from fans.
The Bulldogs snapped a nine-game losing streak and a nine-game Southeastern Conference losing streak two weeks ago against Vanderbilt, and followed it up with a victory over Memphis.
Mississippi State has gone 8-21 overall and 2-15 in the Southeastern Conference since 2001.
The downturn for the Bulldogs has been drastic and came on the heels of the program's greatest success. From 1997-2000, Sherrill guided Mississippi State to a 33-15 record that included an SEC West title in 1998 and a school-record 10 wins in 1999.
Sherrill's letter of resignation follows:
"It is with mixed emotion that I write this letter, but I want you to know my decision before you read it or hear it in the media.
"I have decided to retire from coaching football and have given Dr. Lee and Larry my letter of resignation effective at the end of this football season. I feel this advance notice gives the administration ample time to hire a new head football coach and make sure the football program continues to get back to where everyone wants it to be and it deserves to be.
"This decision has not come easily for me because of my great feeling for the players and their families, the coaches and their families, and the entire MSU family. Over the years, Peggy and I have developed personal relationships with many of you and will always value those friendships.
"Thirteen years ago, I took the job as head football coach and brought my family to Starkville, where we experienced firsthand what it is to be a Bulldog. That was thirteen years ago, and now our daughter holds both a B.S. and a master's degree, our son-in-law received a B.S., and Peggy earned a bachelor's degree, all from Mississippi State University. Our 21-month-old grandson, Daniel, recognizes the MSU emblem and yells "PopPop" (that's me, by the way) at the sight of anything maroon and white. Those are things which will go with me and my family the rest of our lives.
"When I took this job, I said that we deserve to win and we would win. We have experienced some of the greatest moments ever at Scott Field. We have been to the Liberty Bowl, the Peach Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, and the Independence Bowl, and, most importantly, had the thrill of participating in the SEC Championship game. We have been treated with tremendous respect and goodwill and for that, I thank you. You have been our friend through the ups and downs, and there are no words to adequately express my appreciation.
"Two years ago, we started a downhill slide and I have deep regret about that. However, I have made sure we now have the players in place to regain the respect and bring the excitement back to Scott Field. We are on the road back and this young team will win a lot of football games in the upcoming years.
"We need to do our part to never go backward. The best way to make sure that happens is to be very positive and loyal to this university and the people who are in place to run it. I may have rambled a bit, but you can rest assured that I have not thrown in the towel and I will fight to my last breath. We have two more home games against Alabama and Mississippi, and I expect the stadium to be packed to full capacity. I want everyone to rock the stands with noise and excitement and electricity for our football team.
"Thank you for allowing me to have the honor of serving as your head football coach for 13 years, and for all the support and loyalty you have shown me and my family.
"I will forever be a Bulldog."
Jackie Sherrill
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