WKU assistant A.J. Pratt resigns

Western Kentucky offensive tackles/tight ends coach A.J. Pratt has resigned from his position in order to spend more time with his family.

The information was announced by WKU this afternoon.

WKU players report for fall camp Aug. 5, the first official day of practice for the 2011 season will be Aug. 6.

Statements from WKU on the matter:

A.J. Pratt, who served as WKU’s tackles/tight ends coach in 2010, announced his resignation from the WKU football program to spend more time with his family. Pratt was named to the position after working the previous 11 seasons on the Kent State University football staff. He will accept a teaching position in the Allen County school system.

“My wife and kids know nothing else but being a family of a college football coach for the past 12 years,” Pratt said. “This decision is based solely upon three factors – my family, my faith and my health. Our family has discussed this decision the past few days, and we are at peace with the outcome though it is the most difficult decision I have ever personally had to make. The opportunity for a new occupation has just recently been presented, and I wish the timing could have been different. We are very thankful for the people of Western Kentucky University, especially the athletic department, administration and our student-athletes. We are thankful and blessed for those relationships. I will continue to support WKU football and the people that make it successful from our home in Bowling Green.”

“We are sorry to see A.J. leave our program, and this decision is entirely his,” said WKU head football coach Willie Taggart. “I really enjoyed coaching with him and appreciate his contribution to our program. However, I respect his decision to alter his career so that he can spend more time with his wife and children, and we wish the Pratt family all the best with everything. We have already begun discussions on a program plan to fill this void.”