Jason Simpson, a former UT Chattanooga assistant coach, has been named the new head coach of the Skyhawk football team after a search process was conducted.

The search came about when Matt Griffin resigned in December to accept the head coaching position at Murray State University, Murray, Ky.

“UTM is appreciative of what Coach Griffin did to bring us a winning season,” said UTM Chancellor Nick Dunagan. “We intend to build on the success that Griffin achieved. “Coach Griffin is appreciative of the opportunity UTM gave him to become a head coach.”

Five of six assistant coaches have also resigned. The only remaining coach on the UTM staff is defensive coach Dwayne Wilmot.

Griffin said he accepted the Murray State job because it would benefit his family and assistant coaches financially.

“We did talk about increasing his (Griffin’s) salary and the assistants’ salaries,” Dunagan said.

Griffin’s base salary was $77,464. After the 2004 season, Griffin’s contract was extended through the 2007 season. Before Griffin’s visit to Murray State, Dunagan and Phil Dane, the athletics director, decided to increase Griffin’s salary to $92, 000.

“We made an attempt to compete with Murray State’s financial offer to Matt, but I think we did all we could within the principles of our mission and other equity issues that must be considered,” Dane said.

The chancellor agreed with Dane. “We have a list of ongoing priorities at [UTM] that we must meet and that was the best we could do,” Dunagan said. “While we regret losing Matt we will go forward with educating young men and women here at [UTM].”

“We intend to recruit a coach who will continue the momentum that we currently have and the 2006 season will be just as productive as the 2005 season,” the chancellor said.

UTM finished the 2005 season with a 6-5 overall record and a 4-4 won-loss record in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Skyhawks closed out the season with a 49-20 victory over Murray State. The 6-5 worksheet was the best record for the Skyhawks since 1993.

“The fact that Coach Griffin helped move our program forward will convince a lot of coaches that [UTM] can win in the OVC,” Dane said.