Miles coach Billy Joe resigns, cites health

Oct 5, 2010 - 5:21 PM BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Miles College coach Billy Joe resigned Monday, ending his career with the second-most victories of any coach at historically black colleges.

The 69-year-old Joe cited health reasons when he announced his resignation at the school in Birmingham. He did not elaborate on the health issue.

He has 243 wins over 33 seasons, including 11 at Florida A&M, 13 at Central State in Ohio and seven at Cheyney State in Pennsylvania. His victory total trails only Eddie Robinson's 408 among historically black college coaches.

Miles assistant coach Patrick Peasant will be the interim head coach while the school searches for a permanent replacement.

Joe was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame in 2007 and became head coach at Miles in 2008.

"It's been a great and glorious three-year ride. But health concerns are becoming too much of a challenge for me to continue in my current capacity," Joe said in a statement. "I'm still going to be around though to support the college and become the school's number one fan."

Miles is 2-4 this season, with a road game at Albany State on Saturday.