HOUSTON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Rice Football coach Ken Hatfield resigned Wednesday, one day after announcing during a news conference that he would return for his 13th season.
The Houston Chronicle said Hatfield informed his players Tuesday night of his decision.
Hatfield's resignation came just hours after the longtime head coach told local media members he was looking forward to the 2006 season and did not plan to make any changes to his staff. The Owls finished just 1-10 in 2005, the program's worst mark since going 0-11 in 1988.
Hatfield, 62, took over at Rice in 1994 after successful tours at Air Force, Arkansas and Clemson. He directed the Owls to back-to-back 7-4 seasons in 1996 and 1997, and an 8-4 campaign in 2001.
Rice's 2005 finish was Hatfield's worst in 27 years as a head coach.
