The University of Connecticut is proud of the success we have enjoyed in our football program, both academically and athletically, during Randy Edsall’s tenure. Under his leadership, UConn made the quickest transition of any school that left the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision and then played in a Bowl Championship Series game. I extend my thanks as well as the appreciation of the institution to Randy and his family for their contributions to our football program and the entire university community.

Our University is an outstanding academic institution, and the Division of Athletics continues to achieve tremendous success. Our football team has appeared in four consecutive bowl games, and five overall since 2004, including our first-ever BCS bowl appearance on Jan. 1. UConn has among the finest football facilities in the country in the The Burton Family Football Complex and the Mark R. Shenkman Training Center. Renstchler Field has developed into a great home environment, and our loyal supporters have filled the stadium to 96 percent of capacity since it opened in 2003. The program has a proven record of academic achievement, and has also provided a foundation for student-athletes to advance to the professional ranks. Our entire university community, including our assistant coaches and staff members, have committed themselves to building this great football program.

We will hire the coach who can best lead and continue to enhance this football program into the future. That individual will be dedicated to excellence in the classroom, on the football field, and in the community – and also dedicated to the many constituents who support our University and its athletics program. We are committed to continuing the winning tradition that defines UConn Athletics, and will move as expeditiously as possible to identify the individual who reflects the ideals of our institution.

Jeffrey Hathaway
Director of Athletics

Interim Head Coach Named

Also today, Jan. 3, Hathaway named Hank Hughes as interim head coach of the Husky football team.

Hughes joined the UConn staff in 2001 as defensive line coach. He spent three seasons as defensive coordinator, and the 2010 season was his sixth as assistant head coach for defense.

“Hank Hughes is the perfect choice to fill the role as interim head coach for our football program,” said Hathaway. “He has been a long-time member of our coaching staff and is extremely loyal to our University and our Division of Athletics. Hank will provide outstanding leadership to our football student-athletes and support staff during this time of transition.”

Hughes said he is excited to serve as interim head coach of the UConn football program. “We are proud of our success and what we have achieved,” he said. “Our student-athletes, coaches, and support staff look to build upon the current success of this program and continue to move forward to new heights both academically and athletically.”

Hughes is a 32-year veteran of the coaching profession, and was the defensive line coach at Memphis from 1998 to 2000, before coming to UConn. He also worked at Harvard (1994-97), where he was the assistant head coach, defensive line coach, and special teams coordinator. He was defensive line coach at Cincinnati in 1993, and was an assistant coach for the Montreal Machine of the World League of American Football in 1991 and 1992, serving as linebacker coach in 1991 and adding defensive coordinator duties in 1992. Hughes was the linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator at James Madison from 1985 to 1990; served as linebackers and defensive line coach at Lafayette from 1982 to 1984; and also coached the defensive line at Northeastern (1981), Springfield College (1980), and Albany (1979).

He is a 1979 graduate of Springfield College, with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.