University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Downing will not be retained
11/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – University of Northern Colorado director of athletics Jay Hinrichs has notified head football coach Scott Downing he will not be retained as football coach of the Bears, effective immediately.
The football program's immediate off-season academic and athletic conditioning activities and the 2011 recruiting process will be coordinated by defensive coordinator Cody Deti and offensive coordinator Greg Peterson.
“Coach Downing has done a very good job under challenging conditions in building a Division I FCS Big Sky Conference football program here at Northern Colorado,” said Hinrichs. “His commitment to building this program is unparalleled.
“Without Coach Downing we would not have the great practice, instruction and team-room facilities on our campus today. We would not have the best football graduation success rate in the Big Sky Conference for the last two years. We would not have such exemplary young people representing Northern Colorado, Greeley and the entire Northern Colorado regional community.
“While competitive in nearly every game this fall, football is a game that must be measured in wins and losses. We have not made those improvements on the field, at the end of game and at the end of the season that must be what we aspire to. With that said, it is time for a change in head coaches.”
A search committee will be formed immediately to follow the university's hiring processes where Northern Colorado athletics will identify, recruit and hire the next head football coach of the Bears.
“I want to personally thank Coach Downing for all that he has unselfishly done for the Bears football program and the entire department of athletics, including the student-athletes, the coaching staff and the department's support staff members,” said Hinrichs. “He had been a leader beyond compare.”
