Rosenbury resigns as Lords football coach

GAMBIER, Ohio -- Following a postseason of contemplation, James Rosenbury made the difficult decision Friday to resign as head coach of the Kenyon College football program. Hired in April of 2019, Rosenbury spent three academic years and two football seasons at Kenyon.

"I want to thank Jill McCartney for the opportunity to lead the Kenyon football program these last three years. I don't know if I will ever be able to totally express my gratitude or describe how difficult it is to step away," Rosenbury said. "Kenyon football and its players will always be incredibly important to me. I cannot thank enough the players, parents, faculty, staff, student body and alumni community that have supported the Lords. I made this decision with their best interests at heart."

Rosenbury recorded 3-7 overall records in both the 2019 and 2021 seasons. His team's North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) records were 2-7 in 2019 and then 3-6 this past season, the program's best placement in the conference standings since 2013. While the Lords did not compete in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rosenbury and his staff did what they could to keep their student-athletes involved and strived to keep them mentally and physically primed.

"We are grateful for James' leadership in resetting the course of the Kenyon football program and we are proud of what the team has been able to achieve these past three years," said McCartney, Kenyon's Director of Athletics, Fitness and Recreation.

In 2019, Rosenbury's debut began with a bang, as the Lords opened the season with a 32-31 double-overtime win at The Catholic University of America. That victory snapped a 26-game Kenyon losing streak, one that dated back to October of 2016.

Since then, Rosenbury coached four student-athletes who earned All-NCAC honors, coached a record-setting quarterback and mentored a linebacker who went on to play professionally overseas. He had two players named National Football Foundation (NFF) Scholar-Athletes, eight named to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society and 15 named to the NCAC Academic Honor Roll.

"I am so proud of the work that our program has accomplished. In three short years we have changed the culture of Kenyon football in more ways than just winning. With the largest roster in team history, one of the highest team GPAs in program history and the most success on the field in almost a decade. I know this team is now on a path of excellence. These players are going to do amazing things on the field, but I will be most excited to see what they do after Kenyon."

As Rosenbury steps away, defensive coordinator Ian Good will take over as the Lords' interim head coach. Good has been with the Kenyon program since the 2017 season and served as interim prior to Rosenbury's hiring.

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