LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Sam Rutigliano, who once nearly guided the Cleveland Browns to the American Football Conference title game, says being appointed head coach of Liberty is one of the high points of his career.
Liberty, a Baptist institution that the Rev. Jerry Falwell founded, announced Tuesday the appointment of Rutigliano to head its football program, which completed its first year in NCAA Division 1-AA this fall.
Rutigliano, whom the Browns fired in 1984 after the team started that season 1-7, said of his appointment: 'I view this as a high point in my career.'
Falwell and Rutigliano told reporters at a campus news conference they shared a vision for the Flames, who went 8-3 in 1988.
Liberty, to make way for Rutigliano, relieved Morgan Hout of his duties.
Hout was philosophical.
'I really would have liked to have been able to talk to our players,' Hout told Lynchburg television station WSET in an interview broadcast Tuesday evening. 'I think they deserve that, and I think I deserve that as a coach, to be able to talk to them.
'But that was not to be, and I'm not bitter about it,' Hout said. 'I'm not bitter about this whole thing. I'm just really now seeking the Lord's will for my life, and I'm anxious to talk to Dr. Falwell to see what he has in mind.'
Rutigliano, asked whether he empathized with Houk having his best-ever season but still losing his job, said, 'Morgan Hout is a good friend.
'I know it was a very difficult decision for Dr. Falwell because he's very sensitive to these things,' Rutigliano said.
WSET reported that Hout learned of the change of command Monday by telephone while he was recruiting in Florida. The broadcast report could not be confirmed independently.
Falwell said he wanted to pattern Liberty after other high-profile religious institutions.
'As an evangelical school,' Falwell said, 'it has been our dream to establish a sports program for evangelical young people comparable to what Brigham Young has done for the Mormon youth of our country, what Notre Dame has done for the Roman Catholic youth of our country. I believe Sam Rutigliano is the one to make it happen.'
Rutigliano, who coached the Browns from 1978 to 1984 and does sports commentary for NBC and ESPN, said he did not consider a move to a Division I-AA college a step down.
'I see it as a step up to something bigger and better than I've ever been involved with before,' he said.
Rutigliano, whose appointment takes effect immediately, replaces Hout, who has been asked to remain at Liberty as assistant athletic director. Several organizations had named Hout Virginia Coach of the Year.
Falwell stressed that Hout, who compiled a 20-29-1 record over five years at Liberty, did 'a remarkable job,' but added he believed Rutigliano was the coach to fulfill Liberty's vision.
Falwell also announced several anonymous donations to construct a 12,000-seat stadium, which will be designed to be expanded to 35,000 seats, and 10,000-seat sports arena on campus. Rutigliano said the stadium was 'without question' a major reason he accepted the Liberty coaching job.
He said he wanted to take the Flames to Division I-A, join a conference and eventually play such nationally known teams as Ohio State, but has no timetable.
Falwell said Rutigliano's appointment came after several months of informal conversations about the possibility of the coach accepting a college job.
Details of Rutigliano's contract were not announced.
The Browns' best year under Rutigliano was 1980, when the team lost to the eventual NFL champion Oakland Raiders 14-12 in a first-round playoff game in Cleveland.
