ST. PAUL, Minn. – Macalester College Director of Athletics Donnie Brooks has announced that Tony Jennison is stepping down as the Scots' head football coach after 13 seasons of leading the program. Jennison is staying at Macalester as Associate Director of Major Gifts in the college's Development department, with a focus on Athletics. The move is effective June 1.

Brooks also announced that current offensive coordinator KiJuan Ware will serve as interim head coach through the 2021 season this fall.

"Tony has given his all to the Macalester football program, and his team, staff, and hundreds of student-athletes whom he has mentored and inspired through the years have benefited greatly from his sacrifices," Brooks said. "Before Tony arrived, football historically was unstable at Macalester, and he figured out how to build a strong program with exceptional student-athletes who can compete every fall. That is not an easy task, and we thank him for his dedication and commitment.

"Although the football program will miss him, our department will gain an asset as he takes on a new role in Development that will focus on fundraising for Athletics. The new role also will allow Tony to spend more time with his young family, which is very important to him."

Jennison came to Macalester in 2006 as the Scots' defensive coordinator and was promoted to head coach in 2008. In just his third season at the helm, Jennison led Macalester to its first winning season since 1986, as his 2010 squad went 6-3. The Scots posted another winning season in 2012, and in 2014 joined the Midwest Conference. Jennison and his team didn't take long to get acclimated to their new league, as Macalester won the MWC North Division, beat Illinois College in the MWC championship game and played in the NCAA Playoffs for the first time in the 121-year history of the program.

The 2014 team finished 9-2, setting the program record for wins in a season, and earned Jennison the 2014 MWC North Division and NCAA Division III Region 5 Coach of the Year awards. On October 29, 2016, the Scots beat Cornell, 48-36 for Jennison's 46th career victory at Macalester, making him the program's all-time winningest coach. He leaves the team with a record of 60-59 in 12 full seasons.

"The development of the Macalester football program has easily been the highlight of my professional career," Jennison said. "I am proud of what we have done and it has involved so many people who have contributed. Certainly, the exceptional student-athletes and their families, the outstanding coaching staff, the support staff, the alumni involvement and the leadership from administration have all played a huge role in making Macalester Football really about the people and the value that every person can bring to the table. I will miss the people the most.

"I believe this is an opportunity for me to make a bigger impact at Macalester and within Athletics. I love Macalester and truly believe in the college's mission. This new role will allow me to continue to support Macalester and the athletic community. 
 
"I also believe in what we have built here. The team is in great shape. We have a large and talented roster and a great coaching staff. We also have amazing leadership above us with Donnie Brooks as our athletic director and with [Macalester President] Dr. Suzanne Rivera, who wants our athletic programs to excel. Knowing the program is in a position of strength gives me the reassurance to make this move at this time."

Ware, who served as the Scots' offensive coordinator in 2019 and through the spring exhibition season of 2021, has over 20 years of coaching experience. Ten of those years came at Division I programs such as Dartmouth, Georgetown, Miami (Ohio) and Notre Dame. Ware also coached at Williams College, Shorter and Shippensburg, where he was the recruiting coordinator and running backs/tight ends coach prior to coming to Macalester in 2019.

Macalester Football re-joins the MIAC in the fall of 2021 after 12 years as an independent and seven years as a member of the Midwest Conference. The Scots begin the 2021 season at home on September 4 against UM-Morris.