FITZSIMMONS RESIGNS AS OTTO-ELDRED FOOTBALL COACH

DUKE CENTER – The Olean-Times Herald reported in its Oct. 12 edition that Otto-Eldred head coach Boyd Fitzsimmons tendered his resignation Tuesday, Oct.9.

According to the story written by Jim Melaro, Bob Windsor, one of Fitzsimmons’ long-time assistants coached the team Friday night and will be the interim coach the remainder of the season.

Otto-Eldred, which was 0-6 under Fitzsimmons, lost to Eisenhower 37-9 Friday night in Windsor’s first game.

The Terrors have not won a football game since the 1999 season after going 0-9 last season, although Fitzsimmons did not coach that team because of health reasons.

Fitzsimmons became Otto’s coach in 1993 and had a 22-48 record.

According to Melaro, Fitzsimmons stated personal reasons for leaving saying that he cared to much for the kids involved in the program to say anything else.

Melaro’s story went on to say that Otto athletic director Toni Fragale said that pressure applied by a group of parents at the last school board meeting held Monday, Oct. 8, night have been the reason Fitzsimmons resigned.

Fragale went onto to tell Melaro that in her belief Fitzsimmons was not the reason the football team’s recent struggles.

In addition to resigning as football coach, Fitzsimmons also resigned as track and field coach.