BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo interim Director of Athletics Bill Maher reiterated the University's support of head football coach Jim Hofher at the team's annual "State of the Bulls Luncheon," at UB Stadium on Tuesday.

"Jim Hofher will continue to lead our football program and be the head football coach as we move into the future," said Maher. "We base that decision on a number of factors. Certainly the professionalism and the character that Jim and his staff conduct, recruit and develop the young men in our program is a very key factor, and certainly there has been strong growth and an admirable job in that regard.

Jim Hofher

"When we brought Jim here four years ago it was to help build a program through the development of young men who were high school student-athletes," said Maher. "We're going to give Jim the opportunity and the time to continue to see that plan grow, and come to fruition. I'm not satisfied at all with the win-loss record and I know that Jim and the young men in our football program aren't either. That said, and that's a very important aspect of it, that's not the only measure of a football program. Jim Hofher is the right man to lead our program at this point in time and I'm confident in his ability to continue to lead our football program forward."

Hofher's Bulls finished the season 2-9 this year, matching the highest Mid-American Conference win total in UB's six-year association with the league. They went 2-3 at home and the UB defense moved from the bottom of the league to eighth overall in the 14-team league. The Bulls two wins in conference play were by 28 and 30 points, respectively, and Buffalo started just four seniors in '04.

"I appreciate Bill's comments," said Hofher. "I look very much forward to coaching the Bulls at UB and I echo what Bill has said as we come off of the '04 season. The won-loss record of 2-9 doesn't make anybody happy, but those of us who are closest to our football program - and our players - would clearly say that this season there was marked improvement. There were exciting times, there were good plays made, there was a high level of competition shown, and I look forward to the future and the opportunity with these guys to make that record much better. I believe it can be (better), and I truly believe that it will be, because we have really good kids that are working like crazy, and in many ways there is real tangible evidence coming out of this season of what we can be."