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Quinn starts his Buffalo duties January 3 after the University of Cincinnati’s Sugar Bowl game with Florida. He is currently serving as interim head coach for the Bearcats following the departure of Brian Kelly, who took over the Notre Dame head coaching job. Quinn, who has 27 years of coaching experience, spent most of those years as an assistant for Kelly and, as offensive coordinator, helped build one of the nation’s top offenses.

“Buffalo has got an experienced, talented and prepared head football coach in Jeff Quinn. He has been very choosy in his desire to be a head football coach, and he felt Buffalo was just a great fit. I wish him the best and expect great things at the University at Buffalo from Jeff Quinn,” Kelly said.

“I am very pleased that Jeff Quinn will be joining the University at Buffalo,” University President John B. Simpson said. “His extensive coaching experience and proven leadership skills make him a great choice as our program continues to gain national stature.

“From my conversations with Jeff, I know that he shares UB’s institutional commitment to excellence and that he will work hard to help our student-athletes succeed in the classroom as well as on playing field.”

As offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Cincinnati for the past three seasons, Quinn has helped the Bearcats compile a 33-6 record, including a 12-0 record this year and a national No. 4 ranking heading into the Sugar Bowl meeting with defending national champion Florida.

“I believe that we have hired one of the sharpest offensive minds in all of college football and someone who will bring great excitement to our program,” said Manuel. “In addition, Coach Quinn has proven himself as an outstanding recruiter both nationally and within the Mid-American Conference. He has coached and won at every level and truly cares about the development of student-athletes as young men and football players.

No stranger to the Mid-American Conference and its recruiting footprint, Quinn served as associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Central Michigan prior to his stint at Cincinnati and helped lead the Chippewas to the 2006 MAC title.

When Kelly took the position at Cincinnati, Quinn served as interim head coach for Central Michigan’s 31-14 victory over Middle Tennessee in the 2006 Motor City Bowl prior to joining the UC staff.

Quinn arrived at CMU in 2004 after 15 seasons at Grand Valley State. He was part of the staff that led the Lakers to back-to-back national championships in 2002 and 2003. The 2001 Laker offense averaged 600.8 yards and set an NCAA record by averaging 58.4 points per game.

“Jeff Quinn is one the most enthusiastic, passionate football coaches I have ever known,” said Jim McNally, a long-time NFL offensive line coach and University of Buffalo grad (’62). “His knowledge of football is second to none and his wide-open brand of football will bring excitement to all UB fans. The other coaches in the MAC will have their hands full preparing for our UB football team.”

In addition to producing outstanding offensive units, Quinn has figured in the development of 12 offensive linemen who played in the professional ranks and 22 players who earned all-American status. Among them was Trevor Canfield, who was an Associated Press Second-Team All-American selection. He was the first UC offensive lineman to earn a spot on the AP team since Bill Shalosky in 1952.

Quinn is a 1984 graduate of Elmhurst College, where he was a two-sport standout in football and wrestling. He was twice named Student-Athlete of the Year at the school and was inducted into Elmhurst’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.

Quinn earned a master of arts degree from DePauw in 1984 and an educational leadership master’s degree endorsement from Grand Valley State University in 2000. He has his wife Shannon have two sons, Kyle and Ryan.

Information and photo courtesy of University of  Buffalo.