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BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo head football coach Jim Hofher announced today that Thurmond Moore, who has spent the past two seasons as Syracuse University's defensive line coach, will serve as UB's defensive coordinator, and Doug Socha will remain with the staff moving up to full-time as wide receivers coach.

Thurmond Moore

Moore, a 1977 graduate of San Jose State University, has extensive experience on the defensive side of the ball, including working at seven Division I football programs, several NFL internships and NFL Europe. Most recently, Moore helped the Syracuse defense earn national recognition over the past two seasons for his work with the Orange defensive line.

Syracuse has finished among the nation's top 20 in total defense each of the past two seasons, finishing 14th (301.2 yards per game) in 1999 and 18th (311.91 ypg) this past season. In addition, the Orange have racked up 61 quarterback sacks during the past two seasons, including 31 this past season.

Prior to coming to Syracuse, Moore was the defensive line coach for two seasons (1997-98) at Colorado State, helping the Rams to the 1997 Mountain West title and a berth in the Holiday Bowl.

Moore also spent two seasons as defensive line coach at his alma mater San Jose State (1996-97) and had previous coaching stints at the Division I level at North Texas (1995), Utah State (1994), Delaware State (1986-88), Wyoming (1986), California (1983-85) and Cal State Sacramento (1980-82). He coached Jacksonville's Hardy Nickerson and Pittsburgh Steeler Joey Porter at the collegiate level.

In addition, Moore has extensive professional experience. Moore has served as an intern with the NFL's St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, working with both linebackers and defensive linemen during summer camps. Moore also served as the defensive coordinator of the London Monarchs (1995-96) and the defensive line and special teams coach of the Amsterdam Admirals (1994-95) of NFL Europe.

Doug Socha

Socha, a native of North Tonawanda, NY, joined the Bulls' staff last summer as a graduate assistant working with UB's defensive secondary. Socha had previously spent two seasons as defensive backfield coach at College of the Canyons Junior College in Valencia, CA.

Socha helped UB's secondary nearly double its interception total from 1999 to 2000. In his new role, Socha will coach the Bulls' wide receivers after being promoted to full-time.