by FLAGSTAFF – Northern Arizona coach Jerome Souers (Cheyenne River Sioux) is stepping down as head football coach after 21 years of leading the Lumberjacks.
The school said in a statement Monday that Souers will continue to be a part of the athletic department, working on fundraising and Native American initiatives.
“Earlier today Coach Souers and I met to review the football season. Jerome has agreed to accept a new role with NAU that will focus on athletic fundraising and Native American Initiatives and no longer serve as head football coach,” NAU athletic director Mike Marlow said in a statement. “I am thrilled that Jerome will help us build upon the foundation that he has helped establish over the course of 21 seasons and will remain actively associated with Northern Arizona University.
“I’ve now met with the entire football staff and am meeting with the team and team leaders at 3:00 p.m. They will all hear a similar message – I am committed to utilizing all available resources to assist them through this transition. Additionally, the team will hear a very clear message that the ultimate decision on the new Head Coach of NAU Football will be made with our student-athletes’ best interests as the primary consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to introduce our next Head Football Coach in the coming weeks.”
Souers was effectively fired by former athletic director Lisa Campos following the 2017 season, but was re-hired to continue leading the program.
Souers went 123-114 overall and 85-77 in the Big Sky Conference. He led the Lumberjacks to the FCS playoffs for the first time in four years last season, but NAU went 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the Big Sky this year.
