The cardinal sin, apparently, for any Buffalo head coach is losing to Eastern Michigan. The Bulls did that Saturday, dropping a 37-27 decision after coming in as double-digit favorites, and now head coach Jeff Quinn is out of a job two days later. The news was first reported by CoachingSearch.com, and confirmed by FootballScoop.com and the Buffalo News.
Quinn arrived at Buffalo - remember, always the University AT Buffalo - following the 2009 season as Turner Gill’s replacement (remember him?) after a successful run on Brian Kelly’s staff at Cincinnati.
He steadily rose Buffalo’s win total, debuting at 2-10 in 2010 and then improving to 3-9 in 2011 and 4-8 in 2012 before what seemed like a breakthrough season in 2013 with an 8-5 mark and an appearance in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Saturday’s loss dropped the Bulls to 3-4 mark this season. Three wins in seven games isn’t normally a fireable offense at Buffalo, especially following an eight-win season, but athletics director Danny White’s decision becomes a little more understandable after considering the Bulls’ wins have come at the expense of FCS Duquesne and Norfolk State and 1-6 Miami (Ohio).
Overall, Quinn went 20-36 in four-and-a-half seasons at the school.
Offensive coordinator Alex Wood will reportedly serve as interim head coach.
Buffalo is off this week, and hosts Central Michigan on Oct. 25.
Quinn is the fourth head coach to step aside this season, following the resignation of June Jones at SMU, the firing of Charlie Weis at Kansas, and the retirement of Larry Blakeney at Troy.
