Mike Ayers led the Wofford (FCS - SC) football program for 30 seasons. He helped the program transition from NAIA to Division II and then up to the FCS ranks. Under the loyal leadership of Ayers, the Terriers made the Division II playoffs a number of times and then made a number of FCS playoff appearances and brought home five Southern Conference titles as well.
Just days after their loss to eventual national champion North Dakota State on December 9th in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, Ayers announced his retirement. He left as Wofford's all time leader in wins.
“I love Wofford. I wasn’t smart enough to graduate from Wofford, but I was smart enough to take the head coaching job and it afforded me and my family the opportunity to have a wonderful life. This decision that I have made today is a decision that has taken a while to make. I’ve prayed a lot, I’ve talked to people whose opinion I value a lot, and this day is a blessing. I truly believe that the program is in good hands,” Ayers shared in his retirement announcement.
Wofford later hired former Terrier assistant, and Pitt defensive coordinator Josh Conklin to fill Ayers' shoes.
There's simply no other way to put it. Mike Ayers was Wofford football for three decades, and Wofford football definitely became an extension of Ayers with the passion he poured into the program.
To honor the legacy that Ayers leaves behind in his retirement, Wofford put together a recognition video as a tribute to everything he's given the program, campus community, and the countless lives he's touched along the way.
This video, filled with some great sound bytes from Ayers over the years, is sure to tug at your heart strings.
https://youtu.be/dAADCLzf1BM