A long time coming

Hofher isn't saying anything.

Aside from a generic comment in a press release, he has refused to answer any questions about his termination. The university said on Tuesday that the lame-duck coach is focusing on the final two games and will only answer questions after the conclusion of the season.

When new athletic director Warde Manuel announced that Hofher is going to ride out the last two games before concluding his time at UB, no one was surprised. The team's record is a dismal 0-9 this season and a horrendous 7-48 since the struggling coach took the reins five years ago.

So why isn't Hofher making any statements?

Regardless of what the school is saying, it is my guess that Hofher is going to unload on the university, and is choosing to wait until after the final game to do so. In the Oct. 30 edition of The Buffalo News, Hofher was quoted as saying: "This is real coaching, I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but this is very hard."

Based on the fact that Hofher said he wouldn't wish his job on anyone, it is fair to speculate that he has frustrations with the school and now that he has been fired, he will make those frustrations public.

As the head coach he has received the blunt of the criticism for the team's failures. The Buffalo News, The Spectrum and I as well, have all come down on him at one time or another for the team's anemic performance. Although I think that as the team's leader he should have broad-enough shoulders to accept the blame when he doesn't do the job he is being paid $149,000 a year to do, it should be noted that he has faced some pretty big challenges.

The UB Athletic Department budget is a mere $14 million. They lack a much-needed indoor training facility and have too many varsity sports. Manuel is addressing these problems, but that doesn't do Hofher's career any good.

Manuel even acknowledged these problems in a Tuesday press conference.

"It's not a situation where he was provided with all of the things that I hope to provide the next coach but I think it's a challenge," he said.

If after the team's final game against Eastern Michigan, Hofher comes out and bashes the university for not giving him the resources to accomplish his objectives, he will be justified in doing so.

At least to some degree.

The administration has been dragging its collective feet the last few years by not hiring a full-time athletic director and not devoting enough money to the program. In many ways, Hofher has been handcuffed while having great expectations thrust upon him. If he does decide to vent about the seemingly insurmountable odds he has faced while receiving little financial help from the school, one might even be inclined to feel bad for him.

Unfortunately I can't muster up any sympathy for the departing coach. He has faced some pretty big challenges but he has also failed to show any improvement. The team is no better off than it was before he got here. Even without many of the resources that are available for other programs, Hofher's coaching clearly hasn't helped this team.

His dismissal is long overdue.

However, everyone who is sighing in relief needs to remember that a Hofher-less program doesn't make for a winning team. Whoever is convinced to tackle the leadership role of this sinking ship is going to need to receive more support than his predecessor.

It is far too early to speculate as to whom the team will hire. But we need to keep in mind that anything short of Marv Levy isn't going to make this team an automatic winner.

Manuel has goals of building an indoor training facility and based on his success at Michigan, I believe he can do it. This and other upgrades will give the program the improvements it needs to land the big recruits.

Hofher being gone is a good start towards a winning team and a nationally recognized program, but if the school doesn't follow through with the other adjustments, they may as well have let the man keep his job.