Feb. 8, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — Curt Wiese, who led Marietta College's football program for the past two seasons, is stepping down as the Pioneers' head coach in order to accept a job as the offensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, a NCAA Division II institution in the North Central Conference.

Marietta College Interim Athletics Director Brian Brewer made the announcement Friday afternoon (Feb. 8). Wiese informed the Marietta players during a special meeting Friday afternoon. Brewer said a nation-wide search for a new head coach would begin immediately.

"On behalf of the entire Marietta College community, I would like to thank Coach Wiese for his outstanding leadership with the football program over the past five years, including two as our head coach," Brewer said. "Coach Wiese leaves us with a solid foundation and an excellent group of student-athletes. We will now work as quickly as possible to fill the head football coaching position."

Wiese went 9-11 during his two seasons as head coach. Before taking over the reigns in 2006, he served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator under Todd Glaser for three seasons.

"I would like to thank not only President Jean Scott, and Coach Brewer but the rest of the faculty and campus for the last five years at Marietta. It has truly been a pleasure to be a Pioneer during that time," Wiese said. "The program, the players and the recruiting season is in position for success next season. I would also like to thank the alumni and the community for the overwhelming support of our program and athletes. I look forward to my future endeavors but will always have a place in my heart for Marietta College and above all the Pioneer athletes."

Minnesota-Duluth finished 4-6 overall and 3-5 in league play in 2007. Wiese will work under Bob Nielson, the school’s Athletics Director, who recently announced that he would return to the football sidelines in 2008 after previously holding the head-coaching job from 1999-2003. Wiese will also reunite with former Marietta football assistant Nick Goeser, who serves as the Bulldogs’ defensive line coach. Both also worked together at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

During his tenure as offensive coordinator, a position he maintained as head coach, Wiese's unit showed continuous improvement. Under his guidance, Marietta averaged 311.5 yards of total offense—113.0 rushing and 198.5 passing—over the five-year span. In addition, he has coached 13 All-Ohio Athletic Conference and five Academic All-OAC offensive players.

Wiese, who played quarterback at both Minnesota State University-Mankato and Wisconsin-Stevens Point, graduated from Minnesota State-Mankato in 1999. In 1998, Wiese helped lead the UW-Stevens Point Pointers to a conference championship.

Before joining Marietta, Wiese served as a graduate assistant at UW-Eau Claire for two seasons and coached the tight ends. He stayed at UW-Eau Claire for an additional season and coached the offensive line.

Wiese and his wife, Jenny, have two daughters, Alexis, 4, and Makenna, 2.

Marietta is slated to open its 2008 season on Sept. 6 at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa. Its home opener will be Sept. 27 against Baldwin-Wallace.