WHITTIER, Calif. – In light of the recent changes that have been made to the Whittier football staff, Kirk Jellerson has been named the interim head coach announced earlier today by Director of Athletics Robert Coleman.

"I believe this is a great opportunity for Kirk," said Coleman.

"He will be a finalist during the interview period, however I want to be absolutely clear that we will be conducting a nationwide search for our next coach and the intent will be on finding and hiring the very best person for this position."

The intent of the national search for the 19th head coach in program history will be to fill the void before the start of spring training and preseason workouts for the 2011 season.

Jellerson, who returned to the Poets for his second stint on the sidelines in 2009, served as the defensive coordinator the last two seasons. He also coached linebackers for the purple and gold in 1993.

A 1988 graduate of Long Beach State, Jellerson came to Whittier after serving as the defensive backs coach and the recruiting coordinator at Division II Western Washington University. He helped guide the Vikings to the 2008 Rotary Bowl Championship over Colorado School of Mines.

Jellerson has also served as the defensive coordinator at Utica College, Kean University, Plymouth State and Chapman University. He was promoted to assistant head coach while at Utica and earned the same promotion during his time with Kean.

Whittier has competed in intercollegiate football for 101 seasons and has 446 wins with 26 conference titles.