Help Wanted: Fledgling football program seeks new leadership

Jerry Glanville—NFL coach, broadcaster and racecar driver of yore—can add another formerly held title to his résumé: Portland State head football coach.

Glanville stepped down yesterday after just three seasons and an overall record of 9-24 at the helm of the program.

Athletics Director Torre Chisholm announced Glanville’s resignation yesterday morning at a press conference in front of a crowd of student-athletes, coaches and media in the Stott Center.

“[Glanville] brought a great energy and enthusiasm to the Park Blocks,” Chisholm said. “I think, in some intangible way, he had a significant impact on many of the successes we’ve experienced in some of our other programs. Unfortunately, that success did not extend or exhibit itself in the football program.”

Glanville’s resignation comes less than 72 hours after Portland State’s loss to Idaho State ended the season on a five-game losing streak. This season’s 2-9 record, 1-7 in conference, marks the worst for the program since joining Division I play.

The last time Portland State went 2-9 was 27 years ago, when the school competed at the Division III level.

“I want to thank coach Glanville for his dedication to Portland State football and the greater university and community,” Chisholm said in a statement released by the university. “Although the program didn’t achieve the competitive success that either of us hoped for, it was not for lack of effort or commitment.”

Glanville, 68, came to Portland State in 2007 amid a swarm of celebrity and media hype. The “Man in Black,” as he is referred to for his penchant for colorless attire, has coached football since 1964. Before arriving in the Rose City, he was a defensive coordinator at University of Hawaii.

Prior to that, Glanville coached in the NFL from 1974–93, serving as head coach of the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons for his final eight years of professional football.

Glanville’s Vikings led the nation in passing offense in his first two seasons at Portland State, but records of 3-8 and 4-7 before the current two-win season clouded any sense of accomplishment.

Chisholm said there is no denying that this year’s record, combined with that of the past two, is disappointing.
“Not just for me, but for Jerry, the entire staff and the university,” he said.

Portland State will immediately begin a national search for a new head coach and supporting staff. As is customary in collegiate athletics, the new coach will have control over staff hiring. As a result, Glanville’s coaching staff was informed they will no longer have positions past early December.

Chisholm said he expects to have a new coach in place prior to Dec. 16, the date junior college players are eligible to sign national letter of intent with other programs.

“I’m looking forward to starting a new beginning, and moving forward with the football program,” Chisholm said.

The changing of the football program’s guard affects student-athletes as well as Glanville and his staff.

“Every day spent looking for a coach is a waste of a day we could be preparing,” said junior quarterback Drew Hubel.

When asked what type of offensive style Hubel hopes to work with next season, he said simply: “One that wins games.”