GALESBURG, Ill. ­— After five seasons as the head coach of the Knox College football team, head coach Aaron Willits has announced his resignation from the position.

"At this point in my life, priorities have shifted. With a professional change for my wife that we could not turn down, I am needed at home as a husband and father now more than I have up to this point in my life," Willits shared. "Everything I have done since graduating high school has been impacted by my experience as a student-athlete and, now, as a professional at Knox College. Like my fellow alumni, my life has been changed by Knox. As I step down as head coach, I want to thank the college for supporting me in our efforts to move the football program forward, and I look forward to continuing to grow the program as an alum."

The member of the Knox Class of 2008 led the program to a record of 16-32 overall and 14-30 in the Midwest Conference. Under Willits' guidance, nine Prairie Fire players have earned a total of 12 all-conference honors, including first-teamers Charlie Gibbons (OL) in 2022 and Kaile Williams (QB) in 2023. No fewer than 40 others have garnered Academic All-Midwest Conference honors a combined 62 times, with this year's honorees still to be named.

"We support Coach Willits, through this difficult decision, respect and admire his commitment to his family, and appreciate his continued dedication to Prairie Fire athletics and the entire Knox community," shared President C. Andrew McGadney.

Hired in February of 2021, Willits led the squad to its best record in 20 years in just his second season with the Prairie Fire going 5-5 overall with a 4-5 mark in league play. In 2024, Knox opened the season with a victory in the Lincoln Bowl versus Eureka for the first time since 2017 as well.

"Coach Willits is not only a wonderful example of a Knox College alumnus, he also understands, appreciates and believes in Prairie Fire Athletics and Knox College more than most anyone I know," stated Knox College Vice President and Director of Athletics Justin Newell. "He helped build the largest football rosters in college history, reconnected football alumni across decades, and served as a true Knox ambassador to the Galesburg community. His legacy will be felt for years to come." 

Willits began his coaching career at Knox following graduation. He served as recruiting coordinator for two years and coached the offensive line his first year and running backs in his second year. He then spent nine years on the staff at Concordia College (Minn.), helping the team post a record of 62-28 and 48-24 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).

As a Prairie Fire player, Willits earned All-Midwest Conference honors in his senior year when he rushed for 648 yards in only eight games. He was voted the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player in 2007. He rushed the ball 377 times for 1,626 yards in his college career (12th all-time at Knox), caught 18 passes for 119 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.

A national search for Willits' replacement will begin immediately.