Harvard football Head Coach Joseph Restic announced Friday that he will retire at the end of the 1993 season.
The 66-year-old Restic, who was coached the Harvard squad for 22 seasons, informed team members of his decision following the traditional Spring Day practice at Soldiers Field.
Restic said yesterday that while his current "rolling" contract extends indefinitely, he will make his 23rd season his last.
Restic also said he does not plan to serve the Harvard football program in any administrative capacity after he retires as coach.
"This is a decision I've reached after several months of thought," Restic said. "It's been a long time coming. I've discussed it with my family, and there was no particular reason. It was just a long hard process."
Restic worked his retirement announcement into the regular speech he gives at the end of each Spring Day practice. He told his players that next year would be particularly special because it would be his last, according to Captain-elect Brian D. Ramer '94.
Ramer and other players said although Restic's retirement came as a surprise, his departure was inevitable after so many years as head coach. "When any coach is around for 22 years, you know his retirement is coming. But when it does finally come, it's a surprise," Ramer said. Several players speculated that Restic chose next year to be his last because it will also be the final season of quarterback Michael R. Giardi `94. There have also been rumors that Yale football Coach Carm Cozza will retire after next season, and Restic wanted to leave the same time as his longtime rival. Restic denied both rumors yesterday, and said his retirement "was more of a family decision than anything else." Most Enjoyable 22' "I have had a most enjoyable 22," Restic said. "I felt people were very good to me, and I have had some very pleasant memories. I've been very fortunate, but it's time to leave." This year, Restic coached Harvard to a 3-7 record, with a 2-5 finish against Ivy League opponents. He has not led the team to a winning season since 1987, when the Crimson won the Ivy League championship. The 1987 title was Restic's fifth championship, and he will retire next year with both more wins and more losses than any coach in Harvard history. In his 22 years--the longest tenure of any Harvard football coach--Restic has posted a 114-90-6 record overall, 91-58-5 in the Ivy League. He has been selected New England Coach of the Year three times in his career, in 1974, 1975 and 1987. Plans for finding Restic's successor are still in the early stages. Director of Athletics William J. Cleary Jr. `56 refused to speak with The Crimson yesterday. In Saturday's Boston Globe, however, Cleary said he would organize a committee this week to start the search for a new coach. A New Era' Restic said he will not be involved in this search because the new coach's succession will mark "a new era." "I don't want to be a part of the selection process," Restic said. "That's their decision, and they will have to deal with it." Possible candidates include Tulane Coach Buddy Teevens, Northeastern Coach Barry Gallup, Fordham Coach Larry Glueck and former Boston College Coach Jack Bicknell, according to the Boston Globe.
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