Photo by Caleb Williams, d3photography.com

Carleton College head football coach and assistant professor Bob Pagel has announced his resignation to pursue other opportunities.

• More moves in Coaching Carousel

Pagel served the past six seasons as head coach. During his tenure the Knights were 12-48, 6-42 in MIAC play. Prior, he served for seven seasons as an assistant coach in the program. He spent three seasons as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. Carleton promoted him to defensive coordinator in spring 2008. That fall the Knights posted a 7-3 record.

Pagel added associate head coach duties in 2010. Carleton named him interim head coach in January 2012, following the resignation of Kurt Ramler. Carleton removed the interim tag following the 2012 season.

“I want to thank Coach Pagel for his hard work and dedication to Carleton, our athletic department, and to the football program,” Carleton athletic director Gerald Young said. “Bob led our football program with dignity and honor, and the program has taken many positive strides under his leadership. His impact upon our student-athletes goes well beyond the win-loss column.”

“Bob’s passion to instill positive life lessons prepared his players well for their lives beyond the gridiron, and I thank him for those important contributions. We wish him and his family the very best," Young added.

A search for Pagel’s replacement will begin immediately. Assistant football coaches Jerome Smith, Todd Olson, and Rob Davenport are leading Carleton’s ongoing recruiting efforts in the interim.