Finlandia football announces head coaching change
HANCOCK — Former Northern Michigan University assistant football coach Rob Boss has been named the new head football coach at Finlandia University. Boss replaces Tim Driscoll, who founded the program, coached it for three seasons, and compiled a record of 7-17. The announcement was made in a press release issued this afternoon. The release did not address the reason for Driscoll’s departure. Boss was an assistant on the Finlandia staff this season.
Here is the text of the university’s release:
Finlandia University Athletic Director Curtis Wittenberg today announces the promotion of Rob Boss to head coach of the university’s football program, effective immediately.
“Rob has shown incredible leadership in his one year at Finlandia, and we’re confident his abilities, passion and experience are what our football program needs to take the next step,” Athletic Director Curtis Wittenberg said. “His passion for football in northern Michigan will be a huge asset for our program, our university and our community.”
Boss has 10 years of collegiate coaching experience, including eight seasons at NCAA Division II Northern Michigan University. Boss served a wide variety of roles at NMU, including defensive and offensive line coach, academic coordinator, chief financial officer, run game coordinator and in 2016 he was named interim head coach.
“I want to thank the administration for giving me the honor to run the football program here at Finlandia University,” Boss said. “I thank Coach Driscoll for laying the foundation of which we will build on. I am excited and anxious to get to work recruiting quality student athletes, developing the men currently on our roster and hiring a highly qualified staff to put a product on the field that makes the community of Hancock and the entire Upper Peninsula proud.”
Boss is replacing Tim Driscoll, who finished his third season as head coach of the Lions on Saturday. Driscoll was the first head coach in program history. The team earned a 7-17 record under Driscoll.
“I want to thank Tim for the work he did getting this program off the ground,” Wittenberg said. “When he arrived on campus in 2013 there was no team. Through dedication, hard work and passion he was able to get this program off the ground and we’ll forever be grateful for the work he did to make that happen.”
The Lions finished their third season of football with a 3-3 record. The 2018 season will be the team’s first playing in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the oldest college athletic conference in the country.