MINES FOOTBALL

BOB STITT
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH - QUARTERBACKS

Bob Stitt returns for his eighth season as the head football coach at Colorado School of Mines in 2007.

During his first seven years, Stitt has guided the Orediggers to a 44-34 overall record, including a 30-27 mark in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Stitt’s .564 winning percentage is the highest by a Mines football coach who has coached in at least 20 games and the highest for a modern day coach at CSM.

The Orediggers' 6-5 overall record in 2005 gave the CSM its fifth consecutive winning season, marking the first time that had happened in the history of the program (119 years). A total of 13 players earned All-RMAC honors in 2006, while RB Bryan Florendo, WR/KR Michael Curl and K Aaron Abel garnered All-Region recognition. Florendo, who in 2006 became the first Oredigger to rush for 1,000 yards (1,018) since 1939, as also selected as the Offensive Player of the Year on the NFF's All-Colorado Team.

In 2004, Stitt led the Orediggers to the best season in school history as the team went undefeated (8-0) in conference play and captured its first RMAC title since 1958. In addition, the 2004 squad posted a perfect 11-0 mark in the regular season and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in program history. In the opening round, Stitt led CSM to a 52-33 home victory over Midwestern State University. Mines was defeated in the second round of the playoffs at top-ranked Pittsburg State - the eventual national runner-up - to end its season and also snap a school-record 14-game winning streak, which was the second longest in Division II at the time. The record-setting 2004 season helped earn Stitt RMAC Coach of the Year, Division II AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year and d2football.com Southwest Regional Coach of the Year accolades.

Furthermore, Stitt was instrumental in helping senior quarterback Chad Friehauf win the 19th Annual Harlon Hill Trophy in 2004 as the top player in NCAA Division II. Friehauf, who established an NCAA Division II single-season record for passing yards (4,646) in 2004, became the first player from CSM and the RMAC to win the Harlon Hill Trophy. A total of 18 Orediggers earned both All-RMAC and NFF All-Colorado honors in 2004, while six players brought home All-Region laurels. Three players also went on to receive All-America recognition, including Friehauf (First Team), safety Daniel Leger (Honorable Mention) and wide receiver Justin Gallas.

In 2001 and 2002, Stitt led Mines to consecutive 7-4 finishes. The seven wins in 2001, which marked the first winning season for Mines since 1991 (6-4), were the most by the Orediggers since 1958. The 2001 and 2002 seasons also marked the first time since 1975 and 1976 that the CSM football team had produced back-to-back winning years.

During his tenure at CSM, Stitt has coached 79 All-RMAC performers, 17 All-Region selections and four All-Americans.

Before coming to Colorado School of Mines, Stitt most recently served as an offensive coordinator at Harvard University, helping the Crimson set school records in total offense in a game (640 yards), passing yards in a game (405), first downs in a game (34) and points scored in an Ivy League game (63). Stitt’s 1999 offense ranked first among Ivy League teams in rushing, third in scoring and fourth in total offense.

A graduate of Doane College (Nebraska), Stitt received various accolades as a running back and a return specialist - including All-State College Offensive Player of the Year in 1985 - when he played for the Tigers in the mid-80’s. Stitt also played left field for the Doane baseball squad and competed in the 4x100m relay on the track & field team.

Stitt returned to coach at his alma mater after receiving his master's degree in Physical Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1989. The offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for four years at Doane, Stitt produced three NAIA Division II All-Americans and 19 All-NIAC offensive players during his tenure. Stitt went on to coach at Austin College (Texas) from 1994 to 1999, serving as the assistant head coach and the coordinator of offense and special teams, before he moved on to Harvard.

A native of Tecumseh, Nebraska, Stitt lettered in football, basketball, track & field and baseball at Tecumseh High School. Stitt and his wife, the former Joan Scherrer, reside in Littleton with their sons, Joe and Sam.

 

Jeff Duggan, CSM Sports Information Director
1500 Illinois Street
Golden, Colorado, 80401-1887
Phone 303-273-3095 Toll Free 800-446-9488 Fax 303-273-3362