Davidson head coach Scott Abell has been hired to be the head coach at Rice, the school announced Tuesday.
Abell is the winningest head coach in Davidson history, having led the team to a 47-28 record over seven seasons and a 25-18 record in Pioneer League play. He led the program to two conference championships and three appearances in the FCS playoffs.
“After spending time with Scott throughout this process, it was clear that we had found the right leader for our program,” Rice athletic director Tommy McClelland said in a press release. “He has had an immediate impact on every program he has coached and is passionate about developing winners on and off the field. He is the right person to lead Rice football into a new era of success. I am thrilled to welcome Scott and his family to Rice.”
Abell was previously the head coach at Division III Washington & Lee University, where he went 39-24 overall and won three conference titles. He was also the offensive coordinator there and was a head coach at the high school level before that.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be the named the next head football coach at Rice University,” Abell said in a press release. “I want to thank President DesRoches, Athletic Director Tommy McClelland, and his staff for their trust and confidence in me and my family. I cannot imagine a more ideal time or fit for myself, my family, and the future of Rice Football. Today begins the journey, as we pursue championships. Go Owls!”
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Mike Bloomgren Fired
Mike Bloomgren had led Rice to back-to-back bowl game appearances the past two years. But that wasn’t enough for him to stick around as the team’s head coach.
The Owls started this season 2-6 with a 1-3 record in AAC play. That led to Rice firing Bloomgren during his seventh season with the program.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Coach Bloomgren. Over his seven seasons of service as our head football coach, he has represented our university and football program with the utmost class and integrity,” McClelland said in a press release. “However, as I evaluated our program and compared our current and desired trajectory, I determined new leadership is necessary to guide us into the future.”
“Thanks to the aligned vision of President DesRoches and our Board of Trustees, the opportunity for Rice Football to excel has never been greater. I am confident we will identify a coach who will lead our program and student-athletes into a new era of success.”
