Bulls to Make Change In Football Staff

BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo Director of Athletics Warde J. Manuel announced today that head football coach Jim Hofher will not return to the Bulls' sidelines in 2006, but that he and his staff will complete the 2005 season.

"This has been a difficult decision to make because I know the time and efforts that Jim and his staff have invested to try to turn this program around," said Manuel. "That being said, I thought it was in the best interest of our program moving forward to make the announcement at this time. This allows the university to begin the process of finding coach Hofher's successor.

"That process for finding our next head football coach will begin immediately," said Manuel. "We will conduct a national search, in consultation with Bill Carr, of Carr Sports Associates, and will seek someone with extensive experience in the Division I-A ranks who I feel can help UB become a highly competitive program in the Mid-American Conference."

Manuel indicated that there is no specific timetable set for naming Hofher's successor, who will become Buffalo's 23rd head football coach.

"We will take whatever time is necessary to find the right coach and the right fit for the University at Buffalo," said Manuel.

UB President John B. Simpson noted that, "as with each of our institutional goals, building a strong athletic program requires us to look unflinchingly at our strengths and weaknesses, to critically examine the reality within which we operate, and to clearly identify our institutional priorities and the strategies we will use to achieve them."

Simpson added: "I fully support Warde Manuel's determination in this matter, and I have great confidence in the strategies he is developing to build a strong, successful athletic program that complements the excellence of UB's academic programs."

Hofher and his staff will finish out Buffalo's regular season, which includes games at Kent State this Saturday (Nov. 12) and at home versus Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 19. Hofher has compiled a record of 7-48 thus far in his UB career. The Bulls will be seeking their first victory of the 2005 season this Saturday.

"It is with pleasure that I have served UB for these past five years," said Hofher. "Our players and coaches have battled with commitment to compete on the football fields in the MAC. With two games remaining, we will continue to do so. It will remain my wish that UB achieves success with its football program in the future."