Football program extends head coach Hofher's contract

UB football may not find consistency under center before the 2005 season starts, but the team will have its coach locked up for at least two more years.

Bulls' head coach Jim Hofher has signed a contract extension with Buffalo extending through the 2006 season. The extension gives Hofher two full years with a team containing only athletes recruited during Hofher's tenure at UB.

"As we clearly stated in the fall, the university wanted to work out an extension agreement with Jim and we are pleased that we were able to do that," stated Bill Maher, interim director of athletics, in a press release. "Jim is the right man to lead our football program as we look forward to continued improvement of our football team."

Although Hofher currently holds a record of 7-39 with the Bulls over the course of five seasons, he believes that the UB football program is capable of achieving more success than in the past.

"We continue to pursue the goals of recruiting and developing outstanding student-athletes to win MAC championships," Hofher stated. "I am pleased that our program will continue to receive the support of the university in our efforts to build an excellent football program here at UB."

Though the Bulls will have many holes to fill as they enter the 2005 season - especially as to whom will step up to replace departed quarterbacks Randall Secky and P.J. Piskorik - there is no question who will be calling the plays for Buffalo.

Hofher has 26 years of experience coaching on the Division I level. Prior to coming to UB, Hofher was an assistant coach at Tennessee, Syracuse and North Carolina, as well as Wake Forest and Miami (Ohio).

In addition to gaining experience as an assistant coach at the aforementioned schools, Hofher was a head coach for eight seasons at his alma mater, Cornell, from 1990 to 1997. While at Cornell, Hofher won 44 games, including more Ivy League victories for the Big Red than it has won under any other coach in its history.

Hofher has been with the Bulls for nearly all of the team's big accomplishments, including its first Division I shutout, its first victory over a BCS conference team, its first road victory in Division I, and its two conference victories last season, both won by an average of 29 points.