ELMHURST, Ill. - After leading the Elmhurst College football team to new heights in 2012, Tim Lester has announced his resignation as the Bluejays' head coach. Lester, who spent the last five seasons at the helm of the Bluejays, has accepted the position of quarterbacks coach at Syracuse University.

"This is a very bittersweet day for me and my family," said Lester. "I've enjoyed every minute of my time at Elmhurst but this is a tremendous opportunity that I could not pass up. I'd like to thank the Elmhurst College administration for all the support that they showed me and the football program. I'm looking forward to following the Bluejays as they continue to become an annual national contender."

Lester, who began his collegiate coaching career as the Bluejays' offensive coordinator in 2002, was named Elmhurst's head coach prior to the start of the 2008 season. Last season, Lester directed the Bluejays to their best season in school history. The squad captured a share of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship for the first time since the 1980 season and earned its first-ever trip to the NCAA playoffs while posting a school record for wins (10-2 record). The Bluejays advanced to the second round of the playoffs, earning the College's first postseason victory by defeating Coe College. The Bluejays finished the season with a pair of top-10 national rankings from D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association.

In five seasons as Elmhurst's head coach, Lester compiled a 33-19 record and his .636 winning percentage is the second-highest mark in Elmhurst history. Under Lester's guidance, 33 players earned all-conference recognition, including nine during the 2012 campaign. Lester also coached a pair of All-Americans, three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans (the first in the program's history), and the 2012 Gagliardi Trophy winner, Scottie Williams.

"Tim certainly brought the program to new heights and he was a great fit for our institution," said Elmhurst Director of Athletics Paul Krohn. "I'd like to thank him for all that he did for our program and we wish him nothing but continued success in his career. In the meantime, I look forward to working with the College's leadership to find a new coach who will continue the momentum that our football program achieved under Tim's direction."

A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.