ST. GEORGE — Head football coach Paul Peterson was relieved of coaching duties but will be reassigned within the athletic department, according to a press release Utah Tech University press release.
Steve Johnson, associate athletics director for media relations, issued the press release shortly after noon on Monday.
“Utah Tech University Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Beazer announced on Monday that Paul Peterson has been relieved of his duties as head football coach of the Trailblazers effective immediately,” the release said.
The release also said Peterson will be “reassigned within the athletic department.”
Peterson completed his fifth season as head coach of the Trailblazer program following Utah Tech’s 24-16 loss to Southern Utah this past Saturday night, which concluded a 2-9 season and an eighth-place finish (1-5) in the United Athletic Conference.
He compiled a 17-32 record over his tenure at Utah Tech, which included a 9-29 mark during the program’s NCAA Division I FCS transition.
“I want to thank Paul for his hard work on behalf of our football program and our student-athletes over the past five years,” Beazer said. “I look forward to Paul continuing to contribute to our athletics program in our progression toward full NCAA Division I status.”
A national search for Utah Tech’s next head football coach will begin immediately. Utah Tech Athletic officials will not provide any further comment on the coaching search until the search is completed.
Peterson came to Utah Tech after two years as head coach at Snow College, where he led the Badgers to an 18-4 record, including a victory in the 2017 El Toro Bowl.
Prior to his time at Snow College, Peterson spent five years (2012-17) as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NCAA Division I FCS Sacramento State.
As the offensive coordinator for the Hornets, Peterson helped produce some of the most impressive numbers in school history. The 2014 team set or tied nine school single-season records, including total points (458), points per game (38.2), touchdowns (60) and total yards (5,780).
Before his time at Sacramento State, Peterson served four years as the passing game coordinator, as well as the quarterbacks and wide receivers coach at Southern Utah.
Peterson played collegiately at Boston College where he led the Eagles to a pair of bowl victories and was named team MVP for the 2004 season.
St. George attempted to reach Peterson, but he was unavailable for comment.
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