After five years with the East Tennessee State University football program, head coach Carl Torbush has decided its time to turn over the reins.
During a press conference inside William B. Greene Stadium Friday, the East Tennessee State University of Intercollegiate Athletics announced that Torbush will be retiring from his position with the ETSU football program.
“I feel that I have built this thing about as far as I can take it,” said Torbush, who was given the job of restarting the ETSU football program in 2013. “. . . I think the timing is right. I think we have this thing on a solid foundation, and now it is time for somebody to build the house.”
Torbush’s coaching career spans 40 years and includes head coaching stints at both North Carolina and Louisiana Tech. Torbush also served as a defensive coordinator at Alabama, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Kansas, Texas A&M, and UNC.
During Torbush’s first season with the Buccaneers in 2015, ETSU went 2-9 before going 5-6 overall and 2-6 in the SoCon in 2016. Torbush’s last campaign in 2017 saw ETSU finish 4-7 overall and 2-6 in league play while completing the program’s first season in the newly built William B. Greene Stadium.
“I have had a great run here at ETSU,” said Torbush. “Like I told players, I am gone but not dead. I plan on being involved as much as I can.”