Southeast Missouri football coach Tim Billings resigns

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) - Southeast Missouri State head football coach Tim Billings announced Friday that he will resign early next year to pursue other career opportunities.

Billings told his team of his resignation before they left for Cookeville, Tenn., where the Redhawks play Tennessee Tech on Saturday. The resignation is effective Jan. 31.

In six seasons at Southeast Missouri State, Billings' teams have had a 25-42 record. With one game remaining this year, the Redhawks are 2-8 overall and 2-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

“I gave it my best effort for six years. But, I feel like it's time for a change in leadership with someone new who can infuse energy in the football program and work with this great group of young men,” he said in a written statement.

The university's athletic director, Don Kaverman, is assembling a search committee and hopes to hire a new football coach by mid-December, the university said.