Nov. 12, 2001
SAN DIEGO - Ted Tollner, head football coach at San Diego State since December of 1993, will assume a new role within the athletic department after the Aztecs close their 2001 season Saturday night against Wyoming.
"No one has more credibility than Ted Tollner," said Rick Bay, executive director of athletics and special assistant to the president. "He will become a special assistant to the athletic director and work closely with our development staff."
Tollner is 42-48 at San Diego State against annual schedules that are the toughest in the Mountain West Conference. His accomplishments on the field have included a pair of eight-win seasons (1995 and 1996). The 1998 Aztecs went 7-5 and advanced to the Las Vegas Bowl after claiming the Pacific Division championship of the Western Athletic Conference.
Tollner's first eight-win season at San Diego State in 1995 resulted in Region 5 coach-of- the-year honors by the American Football Coaches Association. He was named WAC coach of the year for his efforts in 1998. However, his greatest achievements at San Diego State may have taken place away from the field.
"The improvements in our academics and citizenship under Ted are dramatic," said Bay. "His honesty and integrity are reflected in the character of the student-athlete that he has brought to our campus."
The search for Tollner's replacement as head football coach will begin immediately with Bay overseeing the process.