Robertson resigns at SRU football coach

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University director of athletics Colin Sullivan announced today that head football coach Chris Robertson, a resident of Grafton, Mass., has submitted a letter of resignation and will be leaving the school to re-join the football coaching staff at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, effective April 9.

Robertson, who became the Seahawks' first full-time football head coach in 2006 after seven years as a defensive coordinator and head baseball coach with the Engineers, brought the program back to respectability with increased win totals in successive seasons. His Seahawk rosters have grown in numbers each year as well (60 in 2006; 69 in 2007; 70 in 2008; 94 in 2009).

In addition, his 2009 Salve Regina football squad impressed in the classroom, garnering the second-most New England Football Conference (NEFC) All-Academic Team members (25), behind only MIT.

"I thank Chris for all that he has done for our football program during his four years," Sullivan said. "Chris will be sorely missed by our football family and the university."

"He should be commended on the tremendous commitment he has shown to the growth of our program during his time at Salve. I wish him and his family all the best with this new opportunity and all future endeavors."

The university will immediately begin a national search with the goal of having a new head coach in place by the beginning of its summer orientation sessions.

"Although change is never easy, we will use this opportunity to aggressively conduct a national search for our new head coach who will continue to build upon the foundation and success of our football program," Sullivan added.

Robertson announced his decision to the football team early Tuesday.

"I struggled with this decision for a long time as I still believe firmly in my heart that there will be championships won here at SRU and there is a big part of me that wants to see this process to completion," Robertson said.

"The Seahawk football program will be successful no matter what. These players work harder and have more love for the game than any group of young men I have ever had the pleasure of coaching in my fifteen years as a college football coach."

After he arrived at Salve Regina, Robertson added two full-time coaches to his staff. His first game with the Engineers in 2010 will be against Salve Regina University on Gaudet Field, a FieldTurf facility in Middletown (Sept. 4).