University of Rhode Island Football Coach Tim Stowers Relieved of Duties

Nov. 19, 2007

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Tim Stowers, head football coach at the University of Rhode Island since 2000, was relieved of his coaching duties and will not return for the 2008 season. A national search for a head coach will begin immediately.

"We would like to thank Coach Stowers and his staff for all of their hard work and efforts over the past eight seasons, serving the University and the community with class and professionalism." Thorr Bjorn, URI Director of Athletics said. "This is never an easy time, but in the best interest of URI football, and with the desire to move forward, a change is necessary."

URI's Department of Athletics and Stowers are negotiating settlement on the remaining one year of his contract that will consist of a financial component, which will come from non-state funds.

"We will begin the process of searching for a new football coach immediately," Bjorn added. "A small search committee will be named this week. We plan on conducting a thorough national search, with the intent to move quickly to maximize the recruiting capabilities of a new head coach."

URI suffered through a 3-8 season this past year, marking the sixth consecutive losing season for the Rams. Stowers compiled a 33-57 record during his eight years at the helm of the Rams.

"The University expects a great deal from its coaches, athletic administrators, and student-athletes. Winning is an important part of the student-athlete experience and is important to who we are," Bjorn added. "We've reached a crucial time in the development of our football program and simply felt that a change in the coaching staff was needed to move the program forward."

"In the short term, we have high expectations that our assistant coaches will continue their work with player oversight and development during the search. Each of our assistants are welcome to apply for the head coaching position and each of them will be interviewed, if they choose, for assistant coaching positions when we name a new coach."

The Tim Stowers File
Born Feb. 8, 1958 in Union Springs, Ala.
Student Assistant, Auburn, 1979-81
Graduate Assistant, Auburn, 1981-82
Head Junior Varsity Coach, Auburn, 1982-84
Assistant Coach, Jacksonville State, 1984-85
Assistant Coach, Georgia Southern, 1985-90
Head Coach (51-23), Georgia Southern, 1990-96
Assistant Coach, Temple, 1998-00
Head Coach, Rhode Island, 2000-2007