After twelve years of dedicated service, Jack Siedlecki is stepping down as the head coach of the Yale Bulldogs.

While the exact reasoning behind his sudden retirement is unclear, the immediate impetus may have been the disappointing, crushing defeat suffered at the hands of the Harvard Crimson last week, coupled with a lackluster season marred by a paltry 6-4, 4-3 Ivy League record.

But, as always, Yalies can feel free to blame Harvard for all their woes.

The Yale Daily News reports:

As criticism from students and alumni mounted following Harvard’s 10-0 steamrolling, football coach Jack Siedlecki unexpectedly announced his retirement from coaching on Wednesday after 12 years presiding over one of college football’s most historic programs.

[…] “In my 12 years at Yale I feel I have always tried to do what is best for Yale football and the student-athletes that our staff has brought here,” he said in an e-mail message to the News after the announcement. “I feel this is what is best for Yale football at this time.”

Siedlecki coached the Bulldogs to a 70-49 record over 12 years. He led the team to two Ivy titles, one in 1999 and the other in 2006, and last year was named Coach of the Year by the New England Football Writers Association.

Despite the criticisms weighed against Jack, he will certainly be missed by those who remember the better years of the Bulldogs program.

Hopefully, his successor will be able to fill his shoes -- and perhaps, restore the Yalies to their former glory.