In January 1924, coach Rutherford resigned as the school's football coach and director of athletics, effective at the end of his contract July 1, 1924. According to the Corvallis Gazette-Times, it had been "an open secret" that the alumni had been active in opposing Rutherford's retention.[3] In four seasons under coach Rutherford, the Aggies compiled a losing record of 13–14–6 (4–10–3 against PCC opponents).