As of November 1, BJ Hammer, the College’s now-former head football coach, is no longer with Bowdoin, according to information shared on the Bowdoin Athletics website.

This news came shortly after Hammer took a leave of absence and the College announced Nick Turchyn as the Interim Head Coach of the program on October 22. Hammer joined the College in 2019 and was in his seventh season as head coach before the leave. At the start of this season, Hammer was 13-41 with the Polar Bears.

Bowdoin also announced that it is immediately launching a national search for the next head football coach.

Associate Athletic Director for Communications Jim Caton stated that Turchyn and the rest of the coaching staff are prioritizing helping the team and ending the season positively.

“We are launching a national search for our next head football coach,” Caton wrote in an email to the Orient. “Interim Head Coach Nick Turchyn and the coaching staff remain focused on supporting our dedicated student athletes and finishing the season well.”

Before Bowdoin, Hammer was a coach at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. The year after he left Allegheny, Hammer was named as a defendant in a Title IX lawsuit by a former female kicker for Allegheny football alleging that the college ignored reports of sexual misconduct and discrimination.

When asked for additional insight into why Hammer is no longer with Bowdoin College, Caton did not offer any further comment.

“At this point we don’t have any additional information to share,” Caton wrote.