Illinois Wesleyan unique in that for the past 70 seasons, the Titans football program has had just two different head coaches,
Norm Eash took over the Illinois Wesleyan program at 32 years old nearly four decades ago and helped build it into one of the most respected small college programs in college football.
38 years later, after compiling a 233-132-1 record, he's announced his plan for retirement.
Eash has captured College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Coach of the Year honors six times, recording a 171-102-1 mark and winning the CCIW conference crown nine times and reaching the postseason playoffs six times.
Before his illustrious college coaching career with his alma mater, he was a teacher, head coach, and eventually athletic director at the high school level at Streator HS (IL) and then Dwight HS (IL).
Eash shared the following farewell in the school's release.
"As I leave this program as the head football coach, I hope and pray that I have enhanced it and brought honor and fame to the program and the University. Being a Titan is really not about how many games were won or lost, but leaving a legacy and how we go about things. The goal was always to help players create more value for their futures, be the best player they could be, and be more successful in life because they were a part of this program. Hopefully, we have done that during my tenure."
The longtime leader of the program will lead the team for one final time Saturday at Tucci Stadium against North Central College, the top ranked team in Division III.
A national search will take place for the new head coach of the program at season's end.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.