After 12 years at the helm of the Nichols football program, head coach Bill Carven, has announced his resignation today. Carven, a 1994 graduate of the school, informed athletic director Charlyn Robert of his decision late last week, citing family reasons for the decision.

The Bison were 1-9 this past season, 51-64 in Carven's time at the helm.

“I’ve had the tremendous honor of being a part of developing student-athletes at Nichols College for the last 15 seasons – it has and always will mean a lot to me,” said Carven. “Now, it is time to turn my attention to my family.”

A 2002 inductee into the Nichols College Athletics Hall of Fame, Carven is the second-winningest coach in program history. In his first season at the helm, when he was the youngest head football coach in the NCAA, Carven brought the Bison to their first winning season in seven years and was named the Worcester Area Football Coach of the Year. He went on to bring Nichols to five straight winning seasons, the school’s first ECAC bowl game appearance and the 2001 Boyd Division title. He had seven winning seasons and coached over 65 conference all-stars and two Golden Helmet Award winners.

“On behalf of Nichols College, I’d like to thank Coach Carven for his commitment to the development of so many student-athletes during his tenure,” said Robert. “I am proud of Billy and all that he has been able to accomplish at Nichols. It has been a privilege to work with him and I wish him and his family all the best.”

The sixth head coach in Nichols football history since the school became a four-year institution, Carven joined the program as an assistant coach in 1996. He was named head coach in 1999 and assistant athletic director in 2001. He was elevated to associate athletic director in 2009. He was a four-year quarterback and still holds school records for both highest pass completion in a season and career.

“I want to thank the Nichols College community, the players who I have had the opportunity to coach, all the parents who have sent their sons to our program, and the talented coaches with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working,” added Carven. “I am proud of our program and am honored to have been a part of it as a player and coach for nearly two decades.”

A national search for Carven’s replacement will begin immediately.