Oxford, OH -- (Sports Network) - Miami-Ohio head football coach Shane Montgomery resigned Saturday after four seasons at the helm.

The RedHawks struggled to a 2-10 record this season, and capped it Friday with a 41-26 loss to Ohio. Montgomery's teams have gone 17-31 overall, with the best season coming in 2005 -- his first year -- when the RedHawks went 7-4 and won a share of the Mid-American Conference's East Division title.

"Shane Montgomery is an extraordinary person who has contributed to our department, university and community in exceptional ways," said Miami-Ohio athletic director Brad Bates. "Ultimately, however, our responsibility to Miami University is to maximize our students' development, and we believe that winning championships facilitates student growth and development in substantial and meaningful ways."

Bates added that the search for the next RedHawks coach will begin immediately.

Montgomery was promoted to the head coaching position from offensive coordinator in December 2004, replacing Terry Hoeppner, who left to coach at Indiana University. Montgomery had joined Miami-Ohio's staff in 2001 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and was instrumental in the development of current Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.