.png&type=webp)
Rice University Athletics
Hatfield Resigns As Rice Football Coach
11/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 30, 2005
May, Hatfield Statements in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Houston - Rice's Ken Hatfield resigned Wednesday after 12 seasons as the Owls' head coach.
Less than 30 hours after Hatfield said he was looking forward to next season's opener, he announced his decision to step down after 12 seasons at a news conference with athletic director Bobby May.
Hatfield's wife, Sandy, his brother, Dick, and about 40 players crowded into the Owl Club in Rice Stadium to watch Hatfield's announcement.
"I have enjoyed untold moments and memories through the game of football," Hatfield said. "Sandy and I are so honored to have been here for 12 years."
May said that discussions over Hatfield's departure from the university were "amicable, never adversarial."
"The decision Ken will announce was his own," May said before introducing Hatfield at the news conference.
The players gave Hatfield a standing ovation after the coach's statement.
The 62-year-old Hatfield became Rice's coach in 1994. The 1-10 mark in 2005 was the team's worst during Hatfield's tenure and the Owls' worst mark since going 0-11 under Jerry Berndt in 1988.
Rice lost 14 straight games between 2004-05, ending what had been the nation's longest Division I-A losing streak with a 42-34 win over Tulane on Nov. 12.
Attendance at 70,000-seat Rice Stadium dwindled this year. Rice averaged 10,072 fans at its five home games, an all-time low in 56 seasons, and the home finale against UCF on Nov. 19 drew only 8,267.
Hatfield went 55-78-1 in 12 seasons at Rice, including 7-4 seasons in 1997 and '98, and an 8-4 record in 2001.
Hatfield previously coached at Air Force, Arkansas and Clemson. He finished the season fifth among active I-A coaches with 168 career victories.
