Loras athletics file photo

Loras athletic director Bob Quinn accepted the resignation of football coach Paul Mierkiewicz, effective immediately.

Mierkiewicz was 4-23 at Loras in two-plus seasons. He is a 1989 graduate of the school and was hired as head coach in December 2010 after spending a decade as an NAIA head coach.

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The Duhawks (1-6, 0-4) have three regular season games left and have tabbed Steve Helminiak as interim coach for the remainder of the 2013 season. Helminiak has coached the Loras offensive line for the past three seasons and was previously a head coach at NAIA Southern Oregon University.

"I would like to thank Paul Mierkiewicz for his service to Loras College as our head football coach," Quinn said. "Coach Mierkiewicz helped improve our culture and understanding of what it means to be a NCAA Division III student-athlete."

Mierkiewicz took over the program in December of 2010 ahead of the 2011 season.  

"I want to join in wishing Paul and his family the best going forward," Helminiak said. "He's a great Loras man."

"As far as the current situation, we're going to be as positive as we can and do our best to prepare for the next three games," Helminiak added.

Quinn said the search for the next head football coach will begin immediately upon the conclusion of the 2013 season.