Yale football coach Tom Williams resigns

After three seasons at the helm of the Yale football program, coach Tom Williams resigned today, amid an investigation into claims he made about being a candidate for the Rhodes Scholarship.

The New Haven Register reports that Williams has decided to step down, though the results of the investigation were never made public, and his resignation will take effect at the end of the calendar year.

Last month, Yale Senior quarterback Patrick Witt made national headlines when he chose to play in The Game vs. Harvard over attending an interview for a Rhodes Scholarship in Georgia. Some believed Williams misled people in implying that he too faced a similar situation with football and the Rhodes Scholarship, though a New York Times investigation found no record of Williams' candidacy for the scholarship. After the article ran, Yale launched an investigation to look into the matter.

The New Haven Register had this statement from Williams:

“I wish to clear the record,” Williams said in a statement. “On the Rhodes Scholarship issue, I was encouraged to apply by the Stanford Fellowship office, which identified me ‘as the kind of student who demonstrates the intellect, energy and commitment that the Rhodes selection committees seek in their applicants.’ I considered the opportunity, sought advice and was encouraged to apply by faculty members and my coach Bill Walsh, but I did not apply.”
He continued, “During the spring of my senior year, I was given an opportunity to attend a tryout camp with the San Francisco 49ers, and I participated in that three-day event. I did not sign a free agent contract with the 49ers or participate in their summer training camp for signed players.”

“I am extremely proud of my academic, athletic and coaching career. If there was confusion created, I take full responsibility. The timing of this inquiry has been difficult for everyone. At this point I believe it is in the best interest of my student-athletes and Yale University that I step down,” he said.

Williams' spot is now the second Ivy football opening this offseason, after Columbia fired coach Norries Wilson. The Lions replaced Wilson with Pete Mangurian, a former Cornell coach.