Jack Bishop has announced his resignation as Southern Utah's football coach, a post he had held for 16 years over two separate stints.
Bishop said Wednesday he is stepping down to concentrate fully on his duties as athletic director, a job he has held jointly with his coaching post since 1989."This is something I've thought about for the last couple years. The demands of doing both jobs have had an impact on my health and family and I feel it is time to give someone else the opportunity to take the football program to the next level," he said.
SUU President Gerald Sheratt said the search for a successor will begin immediately. Bishop's current coaching staff has been invited to apply for both the head coaching job, and positions with the new coach.
Bishop first coached the Thunderbirds 1977-82 before stepping aside to concentrate on development and alumni relations. He returned to coaching in 1986 to oversee the team's transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II-level competition.
Bishop, who leaves as SUU's winningest football coach (80-73-4), also shepherded the Thunderbirds into Division I-AA play in 1993.
Going into Saturday's season finale at Cal State-Sacramento, SUU was 2-8.