MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University assistant head football coach Andy Carr announced his resignation today to become the head football coach at Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D.

Carr will be taking over a new program at Presentation College that will begin football in 2011.  The Saints are a member of NCAA Division III and will compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the players of our football program here at SMSU,” Carr said.  “We have a very special group of young men, who are true student-athletes and coaching them has been a honor and a privilege.  Eric Eidsness, along with Chris Hmielewski and President Danahar, gave me an opportunity to be a part of Mustang football a little more than two years ago.  It has been a very rewarding experience and an opportunity that I have thoroughly enjoyed.  I wish Coach Sauter and the Mustang football program great success in the fall of 2010 and beyond.”

Carr spent two seasons at SMSU and served as the team's run-game coordinator, offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator.  In 2009, the Mustang offensive line helped SMSU average 36 points and 396.2 yards per game and rush for a total of 1,220 yards, the highest total by a Mustang team since 2005.  SMSU scored 30 or more points in eight games tying a school record for most 30-point games in a single-season.  SMSU also rushed for 18 touchdowns in 2009, tying for the third most rushing touchdowns in a single-season in school history.

During his first season on staff in 2008, the Mustang offensive line produced the program's first 1,000-yard rusher in nine years and just the fourth in school history.  SMSU averaged 29.4 points per game, while quarterback Josh Shudlick set or tied two conference records including passing yards and touchdown passes.

Carr spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons as associate head coach/offensive coordinator at NCAA Division II St. Anselm College (N.H.).  During his tenure at St. Anselm he coached a wide receiver that set school records for career receptions, receiving yards and consecutive games with a reception.  Carr began his collegiate coaching career at Northern State University where he served as the running game coordinator/offensive line coach from 2000-02.

“From the first time I talked with Rick Kline (Presentation Director of Athletics), I could tell that the position of head football coach for Presentation College would truly be a wonderful opportunity,”?Carr said.  “Not because of the excitement that would surround the starting of a football program, or the chance to become a head coach, but because of the people.  The people are what make any organization special, and I'm excited to work with the people of Presentation College.”