After nearly three decades at Nevada, the brains behind the innovative and widely-copied Pistol offense is set to holster his coaching career.
Chris Ault, one day after confirming a press conference for today that would be held to address the “future and direction of the Wolf Pack football program,” announced he is stepping down as the Wolf Pack’s head coach, effective immediately. The decision ends a 28-year head coaching career at Nevada that spanned 37 years.
“Wolf Pack football has firmly established a blueprint for success that can be sustained,” Ault said in a statement announcing his retirement.
“Chris Ault truly has been Nevada Football for more than 40 years,” athletic director Cary Groth said. “He has left an indelible footprint on not only the football program, but the University as well. His legacy is one of success, honor and tradition. There is a reason that he is in the Hall of Fame and was one of the youngest coaches ever inducted. I know I speak for the entire community in congratulating – and sincerely thanking – Coach for his honorable service to college football and our University.”
The release stated that the school and athletic department “will act quickly to identify Nevada’s next head coach through a national search.”
Ault spent three separate stints as Nevada’s coach -- 1976-92, 1994-95 and 2004-present. He was also a Wolf Pack quarterback in the mid-sixties and the school’s athletic director from 1986-2004, guiding the Nevada football program from the Div. II level to Div. I-AA to the FBS level (then-Div. I-A) in 1992.
All told, Ault spent 41 of the past 48 years at his alma mater as a player, coach and/or administrator.
The 66-year-old Ault finishes his coaching career with a 233-109-1 record; won five FBS conference championships and 10 total; and led the Wolf Pack to 10 bowl berths, including one in each of the past eight seasons. In 2002, Ault was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Oddly enough, the Pistol offense, which has been utilized by numerous college football programs and has even found its way into the NFL, wasn’t even a part of Ault’s résumé when he was elected to the Hall.
“Chris Ault truly has been Nevada Football for more than 40 years,” Groth said. “He has left an indelible footprint on not only the football program, but the University as well. His legacy is one of success, honor and tradition. There is a reason that he is in the Hall of Fame and was one of the youngest coaches ever inducted. I know I speak for the entire community in congratulating – and sincerely thanking – Coach for his honorable service to college football and our University.”
