HOUSTON — On Wednesday, Scott Abell was officially named the new head coach for Rice University, taking over the program after the dismissal of Mike Bloomgren in October.

Abell previously served as the head coach at Davidson since 2018, where he achieved significant success. Under his leadership, the Wildcats recorded seven straight winning seasons, making him the most successful coach in Davidson’s history with a remarkable record of 47 wins against 28 losses.

During his tenure, he guided his team to secure two Pioneer Football League championships and made three appearances in the FCS playoffs, emphasizing his capability to lead teams to competitive heights.

Rice’s athletic director Tommy McClelland expressed confidence in Abell, stating, “After spending time with Scott throughout this process, it was clear that we had found the right leader for our program. He has had an immediate impact on every program he has coached and is passionate about developing winners on and off the field. He is the right person to lead Rice football into a new era of success. I am thrilled to welcome Scott and his family to Rice.”

The transition comes on the heels of a disappointing season for the Owls, who faced a challenging campaign, finishing with three victories and eight losses. This marked the tenth consecutive losing season for Rice, with the last winning record recorded in 2014 under David Bailiff, when the team ended the season with an 8-5 mark.

Prior to his successful run at Davidson, Abell spent six years coaching at Washington & Lee in Division III, where he posted a 39-24 record and secured the Old Dominion Athletic Conference title three times.

With a wealth of coaching experience and a track record of achievement, Abell’s new role at Rice aims to invigorate the football program and foster a culture of success.