Wyoming coach Craig Bohl to retire after Arizona Bowl

Field Level Media|published: Wed 6th December, 14:17 2023

Nov 18, 2023; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Wyoming Cowboys head coach Craig Bohl leads his team onto the field before the game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. credits: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports

Wyoming coach Craig Bohl announced Wednesday that he will retire following the team's game against Toledo in the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 30.

Also on Wednesday, the school announced that it promoted defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel to replace Bohl after the Cowboys (8-4) square off against the Rockets (11-2) in Tucson, Ariz.

Bohl, 65, won three straight FCS national championships (2011-13) at North Dakota State and led Wyoming to six bowl appearances. He has guided the Cowboys to a 60-60 record during 10 seasons with the team. Among his star players at Wyoming was current Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

"Being the head football coach of the Wyoming Cowboys has been a privilege," Bohl said. "I felt like now was the time for me step away and entrust the program to new leadership. I want to thank all the young men who have worn the Brown and Gold over the past 10 years for their dedication and for their passion in representing this football program, this university and this state. Many thanks to all the assistant coaches and staff who have helped build Wyoming football into a consistently winning program over this past decade."

Sawvel has spent the past four seasons as the school's defensive coordinator and safeties coach.

"I'm excited and honored to be the next head football coach at the University of Wyoming," Sawvel said. "I have loved working and learning under head coach Craig Bohl for the last four years. The infrastructure Coach Bohl has put into this program makes me very excited to be the next leader of this program."

—Field Level Media