BISMARCK, ND — University of Mary Head Football Coach Craig Bagnell announced to his team this morning, Tuesday, February 14, 2023, that he is stepping down as the team's head football coach, effective immediately. Bagnell, an alumnus, and a record-setting quarterback at the University of Mary and as a coach, has received inquiries to coach football at another NCAA institution.
 
"A coach always wants to go out with a feeling that the program is in a better place now than when we arrived," Bagnell said in a statement. "I honestly believe with the hard work of our coaching staff, the dedicated scholar athletes, and the administration, this football program and university that I love, is ascending to greater heights and has an even brighter future."  
 
Bagnell became the youngest NCAA head coach when hired in 2018 by his alma mater, while also assuming duties as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During his four-year tenure (2018-22), the Marauders experienced steady improvement in NCAA Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play. In 2021, Bagnell masterminded an offense that led NCAA Division II in passing yards (358.5) per game. Danny Kittner posted one of the best seasons ever by an NCAA Division II receiver and earned unanimous All-American honors. Wide receiver Luke Little led all levels of NCAA football with 20 touchdown catches. And quarterback Logan Nelson joined Kittner and Little in earning All-American status after shattering Mary's passing records for yards and touchdowns.  
 
"We wish Coach Bagnell the very best with his endeavors at the next level of NCAA competition," stated University of Mary Executive Vice President Jerome Richter. "We are very proud of Coach Bagnell who has accomplished a lot, not only as one of our best football players of all time, but also as a person instrumental in changing the culture of Marauders football. He's a big part of Marauders football history and always will be. Make no mistake about it, like all our athletics programs, we are devoted to teaching virtue through sport with the intention of winning championships."
 
Richter added that the University of Mary has elevated Marauders Assistant Head Coach Ben Davis as the interim head coach and has already begun the search process for a new head football coach.

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