Dillon resigns as Cornell football coach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                          Nov. 17, 2009

Contact: Kerry Kahl, Sports Information Director

Phone: (319) 895-4483                    www.cornellcollege.edu/athletics                     Fax: (319) 895-5682

MOUNT VERNON – Matt Dillon has resigned as Cornell College's head football coach, Rams Director of Athletics John Cochrane announced Tuesday.

Dillon completed his fourth season at the helm with Saturday's 56-7 loss at Coe. The Rams finished 2-8 overall, 1-7 in the Iowa Conference.

“I have tremendous respect for Matt Dillon and a deep appreciation for everything that he has meant to Cornell College,” Cochrane said. “I wish Matt the very best in his future endeavors. He will always be an important part of this place.”

Dillon finished with a 6-34 record on the Hilltop. The Rams went 1-31 in conference play. Cornell snapped a 34-game losing streak against IIAC foes in the penultimate game this season, a 23-16 home win Nov. 7 over Loras. The victory also ended a 13-game home losing skid at Ash Park Stadium.

Dillon, who starred as an all-American quarterback for the Rams from 1977-80, returned to his alma mater in 2006 to take over the football program. The Rams won their first two games in Dillon's initial season and finished 2-8. The team also posted a 2-8 mark in 2007. Cornell went 0-10 in 2008.

This year's young Rams team ended an 18-game overall losing skid with a 28-21 win at Grinnell in the season opener. Four of Cornell's losses this fall were decided by fewer than 10 points, including three consecutive single-digit conference defeats in October.

Prior to his arrival at Cornell, Dillon coached 24 seasons at the high school level. He is most known for a nine-year stint at West Des Moines Dowling, where he led the Maroons to back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2000 and 2001. 

Cornell graduates only five seniors from its 52-player roster. The Rams bring back 41 letterwinners and 18 starters. The team returns 10 offensive starters, including freshman quarterback Andrew Burdick who set single-season school records for passing yards and pass completions.  

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