By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          Not long ago, Mercer made its Football Championship Subdivision playoff debut, and the Bears seemed headed onward and updward under head coach Drew Cronic.

          Now, though, it’s Cronic going onward and upward, resigning Tuesday night to take the offensive coordinator job at Navy.

          From Mercer’s release Tuesday  night:

          “Athletics department officials at Mercer University announced Tuesday evening that Drew Cronic has resigned his position as football head coach to assume the offensive coordinator role with the Navy Midshipmen. A national search will begin immediately to identify Cronic's successor at MU.

          "Coach Cronic has made great contributions to the Mercer football program, as well as to Mercer University, over the last four seasons," said Director of Athletics Jim Cole. "We want to thank him for not only the impact that he has had on Mercer, but the entire Middle Georgia community. We wish him and his family the very best."

“Cronic was named the football program's 20th head coach in December 2019, and led the Bears to 28 victories across his four seasons at the helm, including a 9-4 clip in 2023 that culminated in the University's first berth in the FCS Playoffs. Mercer set a program record for wins against NCAA Division I foes in consecutive seasons, including nine Division I wins during the recent campaign. Mercer also boasted a national ranking in each of Cronic's four seasons with the Bears.

          “The Orange and Black were dominant at Five Star Stadium over the last four seasons, registering a 17-4 (.810) mark in Macon, including five wins in 2023 – the most for the program since the 2013 campaign. That run was highlighted by eight sellout crowds as well.

          “The individual postseason honors for the program have been numerous under Cronic's watch as well. The program has earned more than 50 all-conference nods from Phil Steele since the close of the 2019 campaign, including 27 laurels over the last two seasons. Cronic has mentored seven different student-athletes to all-America honors as well.”