A Golden opportunity just opened up with the Colorado School of Mines football program. Again.

For the second time in three years, the Orediggers are looking for a new head football coach. Pete Sterbick, who just completed his second season at the helm, resigned his position, the university announced Tuesday.

Special teams coach Yon Boone will serve as Mines’ interim coach, the school said in a news release, while continuing a search for Sterbick’s replacement.

Several outlets reported Tuesday that Sterbick will join Montana State, the reigning FCS runners-up, as offensive coordinator.

Sterbick posted a 22-4 record in two seasons as Mines coach and led the Orediggers to a school-record 14 wins and a berth in the Division II national championship game in December 2023.

“I have loved being at Mines for the past six years, this is truly an incredible place,” Sterbick said via a university news release. “The players here make being the head coach at Mines special, and I know whoever is hired as the next head coach will do a great job leading them.”

Sterbick worked for six years at Mines, having spent the first four as offensive coordinator. He worked under, and eventually replaced, Brandon Moore, who posted a 13-3 record and a national championship game appearance in 2022 before leaving to take the head football job at the University of San Diego in April 2023.

Sterbick ascended to the head-coaching role two springs ago and returned Mines, then led by QB John Matocha, to the NCAA title game for a second straight year. The Orediggers finished that season ranked second nationally among Division II programs in total offense (508.5 yards per game) and tied for first in yards per play (7.41).

The Orediggers posted an 8-3 record this past fall and missed the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in a non-pandemic year since 2017.

Originally Published: January 21, 2025 at 1:52 PM MST