Buffalo fires head coach Jeff Quinn

Buffalo head coach Jeff Quinn has been fired. The move comes on the heels of the Bulls’ disappointing 37-27 loss to Eastern Michigan over the weekend.

UB athletic director Danny White announced the decision Monday.

“It is with great disappointment that we have to make this change,” White said. “Unfortunately, the performance on the field this season and over Coach Quinn’s tenure has not matched our expectations for the growth of Bulls football. With the bye week, our coaches and student-athletes have an opportunity to evaluate themselves and make the changes needed to improve. We have some very talented and hard-working student athletes on this team and we hope this change shifts the course of the 2014 season.”

White expressed his thanks for Quinn’s efforts over the past four seasons.

"On behalf of UB Athletics, I thank Jeff for his service to the University and to the football program. Jeff and his wife, Shannon, have been great supporters of the University at Buffalo. We wish them well in their future pursuits," White said.

White said in a statement that offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Alex Wood will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season. The team has a bye this week.

“We will continue focusing on the success of our student-athletes and working with the team to complete a successful season,” White said. “We have a veteran squad and there is still a lot to play for this season. We will move forward together.”

Quinn arrived at Buffalo in 2010 after a stint as Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator. He took over a program entering its fifth season at the FBS level. After going a combined 9-27 in his first three seasons, the Bulls went 8-5 and appeared in a bowl game for the second time in program history in 2013.

Quinn signed a five-year contract extension in January 2013.

The loss to Eastern Michigan Saturday dropped the Bulls to 3-4 on the season with two of those wins being at the expense of Duquesne and Norfolk State – both FCS teams. Overall, Quinn’s coaching record at Buffalo was 20-36.

The school said it would begin a national search for a new head coach immediately.

- - - - - - -

Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper