After 31 years running prestigious college football programs, the last eight of them at renowned Ivy League institution Columbia University, Al Bagnoli is stepping down immediately from the program due to health reasons.
Bagnoli and the school announced the move Friday evening, with the Lions set to open their 2023 campaign Sept. 16 at Lafayette.
"After undergoing a heart procedure (aortic dissection) in February, and in consultation with my family, doctors and coaching staff, I have decided this is the right time for me to retire from coaching," Bagnoli said in the Columbia press release. "This was a difficult decision, but the right one for me and the program. I had every intention to get through this season, but after going through the recovery process, I realized the grind of the Ivy League season would be a lot to go through at this stage of my life."
Offensive coordinator Mark Fabish will lead the Lions through the upcoming season. The Penn graduate is in his eighth season with the Columbia program.
Winning a whopping nine Ivy League championships en route to amassing 274 career wins, Bagnoli also coached dozens of all-conference performers and became an institution in a league known for its institutions. He is set to remain in an advisory and development/fundraising role with Columbia.
"I am proud of what we were able to accomplish here," Bagnoli further said in the statement, "and know we are in a place where we can continue to have success. Columbia has been a great home for the past eight years.
"I look forward to transitioning into this new role and helping the football program and athletics department build for the future."
The Lions went 6-4 in 2022, but they closed the season on a three-game winning streak with triumphs against Harvard, Brown and Cornell.