The University of Connecticut will fire third-year football coach Bob Diaco effective Jan. 2 following a 3-9 season in 2016.
UConn Director of Athletics David Benedict made the announcement Monday morning in a school press release.
“I believe a new leader for our program and student-athletes is needed to build long-term success,” Benedict said. “I am grateful to Coach Diaco and his staff for their hard work and the integrity with which they ran the program and certainly wish them future success.”
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.@UConnFootball Coach Bob Diaco Relieved Of Duties https://t.co/9aNBC47GTn
— UConn Huskies (@UConnHuskies) December 26, 2016
Diaco, the former defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, had an 11-26 record in his three years at the helm of the Huskies football program. He took UConn to the St. Petersburg Bowl last year and went 2-10 in his first season in 2014.
“This is obviously not the way I had hoped things would turn out, but I appreciate having had the opportunity to be here at UConn," Diaco said in the press release.
Find out what's happening in Mansfield-Storrsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Benedict, the athletics director, said the timing of the firing may come as a "surprise" for fans, but added, "it became apparent to me that a change in program direction is necessary at this time.”
Heid Voight of NBC Connecticut reported that Diaco's buyout decreases significantly after January 1.
#UCONN #BobDiaco contract may shed light on timing of termination: Buyout if fired before 12/31: $5 million. Buyout after 1/1: $3.4 million.
— Heidi Voight (@HeidiVoight) December 26, 2016
The replacement process will begin "immediately," Benedict said.
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