Holy Cross fires coach Gilmore midseason
In a surprise midseason move, Holy Cross fired coach Tom Gilmore yesterday — one day after the Crusaders suffered their first shutout loss since 2004 in a 32-0 defeat at Yale.
Gilmore, 53, had been with HC for 14 years, compiling a 72-81 record, with a Patriot League championship in 2009. The Crusaders are 2-5 on the season after dropping the last four games and 1-1 in Patriot League play.
When contacted by the Herald, Gilmore would only say, “It’s very disappointing when things like this happen. I still believe that Holy Cross can win the Patriot League championship and that’s certainly what I hope happens.”
Holy Cross athletic director Nathan Pine informed Gilmore of the decision yesterday morning and then met with the players. Gilmore reportedly still had one year left on his contract. .
“These are never pleasant decisions, but ultimately I believe this is the best course of action for our student-athletes and for the success of our football program moving forward,” Pine said in a statement.
Sources said the sides will meet on Wednesday to discuss the particulars leading to the firing.
Offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach Brian Rock, a 1985 Bowling Green graduate who has been at HC for three years, was named interim head coach and will lead the Crusaders against Colgate at Fitton Field on Saturday.
The timing of the firing would appear to be curious considering this isn’t a highpowered FBS football factory that is involved. The Patriot League is an excellent academic league and HC is putting the finishing touches on the new $32 million Luth Athletic Complex that will feature a large indoor practice field. There is also plenty of talent on the current squad, led by pro prospect and fifth-year senior quarterback Peter Pujals, who has twice won Gold Helmet awards this season.
Gilmore, who brings intensity and passion to the sidelines, was a member of four Ivy Championship teams while at Pennsylvania. Gilmore was named Ivy League Player of the Year as a senior, one of only two defensive linemen in league history to earn the award.
Crimson glow
Elsewhere, Harvard (3-2) got rolling with a 38-10 nonconference win over Lafayette that came replete with a pair of special teams scores. Junior Justice Shelton-Mosley returned a punt (with a key block by Henry Taylor) 85 yards, while junior Adam Scott brought back the second half kickoff 90 yards.
Freshman quarterback Jake Smith also appeared more at ease behind center.
“Very solid win. We took care of the in-sync part and then, as a coaching staff, we got after them pretty good during the week,” said Harvard coach Tim Murphy, who allowed Smith more reign. “I think that was part of it. It’s more a combination. The more games that you play, the more comfortable that you get. I think it was our energy and we played with great attitude. That, and the momentum the two big plays on the returns gave us.”
Harvard next hosts defending Ivy champion Princeton (4-1), which is coming off a 53-0 dismantling of Brown (2-3). In that game, junior back Charlie Volker had four touchdowns, including a 96-yard run from scrimmage that eclipsed a 65-yearold record for the Tigers’ longest rushing score.
“They’re one play away from being undefeated and they were the Ivy League champions a year ago. It should make for a great matchup,” said Murphy about Friday night’s game . ...
Bentley has won four of its last five games and freshmen back Andrew Brazicki and receiver Austin Ryan of Foxboro have combined to score 12 of the Falcons’ 21 touchdowns during that span . . . .
Westfield State has rebounded from an 0-5 start to post consecutive wins, and sophomore quarterback Jake Cassidy of Lynn has played a key role. Cassidy hit 8-of-17 passes for 99 yards and two scores and added a 37-yard touchdown run in Saturday’s 33-21 upset of Fitchburg State.