Cornell begins search for new football coach

Ithaca, NY – Cornell football didn't quite keep over the hump under head coach Kent Austin in the Ivy League.

The next Big Red coach is charged with that assignment.

Cornell began a search for Austin's successor after he left the program Monday to become the head coach, general manager and vice president of football operations of the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Austin had turned down the CFL team one year earlier, but reversed course after his third season at Cornell. He posted an 11-19 record with the Big Red, including 6-15 in the Ivy League.

"Kent has provided terrific leadership for our program these past three years," Cornell athletic director Andy Noel said. "The offense he established is explosive and exciting to watch, and the program is poised to compete for a championship. In addition, Austin streamlined a number of processes that have benefited the Big Red program significantly. I will miss him dearly and will be forever grateful for the contributions he has made to our program. He is a first-class individual and an outstanding coach. It hurts to lose him."

The search for new coach is under way, Noel added.

Next year's squad will try to build off a 4-6 season. The team will return 2011 Ivy League offensive player of the year Jeff Mathews at quarterback.