Jack Leipheimer has stepped down as head football coach of the Thiel College Tomcats.

Leipheimer, former Hickory High and Thiel standout, will assume the position of director of athletics at the college it was announced Sunday afternoon.  Assistant head football coach Kurt Reiser, who followed Leipheimer to Thiel in 2001, will take over as the 25th head coach in Thiel football history.

“Throughout his career, Jack has shown a true commitment to the ideals and values of Division III athletics,” says Roseanne Gill-Jacobson, vice president for student life and dean of the students, who also served as interim athletic director for the past 2 1/2 years. “He knows that success is more than just points on a scoreboard and he has demonstrated his unfailing commitment to helping his football players achieve their full potential on and off the field. The college will benefit from that commitment extending to all aspects of athletics at Thiel. We are entering an exciting time for Thiel athletics with Jack at the helm.”

Leipheimer has more than 30 years of coaching experience, 25 of which are at the collegiate level. Prior to his years at Thiel, Leipheimer coached at regional rival Allegheny College for 17 years including 12 seasons as defensive coordinator. He also coached at Kennedy Christian High School, Hermitage, and Trinity High School, Garfield Heights, Ohio.

While a student at Thiel, Leipheimer was a four-year letterman and a starter, punting and playing tight end. He and his wife, Patti, a receptionist in Thiel’s student life office, reside in Greenville and have two adult daughters.

Thiel has amassed a 26-16 record over the past four years under Leipheimer, including an undefeated regular season and a NCAA Division III playoff berth in 2005. He has placed a strong emphasis on academics for his players. Over the past seven seasons, Thiel has had 114 all-conference selections, 17 all-region players, 10 all-Americans and five ESPN The Magazine Academic all-Americans.

As director of athletics, Leipheimer will continue to stress the importance of academic and athletic success to Thiel’s student athletes and he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the athletic department, including oversight of Thiel’s 17 NCAA athletics teams and competitive cheer and dance teams. He also will spend much of his time in athletic fund-raising efforts. The athletic department at Thiel includes more than 40 coaches and staff members and more than 300 student-athletes.

 “I have been a football coach for so many years and it is very difficult to step away from the game that has given me so much, but I know the time is right to make this transition,” says Leipheimer. “I am humbled and excited about this move—humbled that the administration has the confidence in me to lead all of our athletic programs, excited to tackle the challenges we have as an athletic department in all areas from facilities to travel costs.”

With Leipheimer taking the mantle of athletic director, Reiser, who currently serves as fitness center director, assistant head football coach and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, will become head coach of the Tomcats. Reiser has been a member of the Thiel coaching staff for eight seasons, including two seasons as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Prior to arriving at Thiel, he was offensive coordinator at Leyden High School in Chicago for six years.

“I am extremely excited that Kurt Reiser will be taking over the football program. Kurt is a quality coach, but more importantly he is a quality person, and an outstanding role model for our athletes,” says Leipheimer. “There is no doubt he is the right person, at the right time for this position.  He will bring a new energy to the program and I have every confidence he will be successful.”

A 1993 Allegheny College graduate, Reiser also holds a master’s degree from DePaul University. With the Gators, where he played under Leipheimer, Reiser was a three-year starter at tight end and a two-time all-NCAC selection and an all-American. He and his wife, Nancy, live in Greenville with their three children.