TO: UC Community

FROM: Santa J. Ono, President

RE: UC Football Program

Butch Jones has resigned as UC’s head football coach, effective immediately. On behalf of the University, I want to thank him, his wife Barbara and their boys for being part of our Bearcat family. Butch is a fine coach, and an even better person, and we wish him and his family the very best in their future endeavors.

Let me be clear in saying that UC’s football program will move forward with confidence. Athletics Director Whit Babcock has named Steve Stripling, who has served as UC’s assistant head coach since 2010, to serve as interim head coach for the Belk Bowl in Charlotte on December 27. I trust the Bearcat Nation will seize this opportunity to show our unwavering support for our team.

I also have directed Whit to commence the search for UC’s new head coach. As you know, UC has a remarkable record of hiring outstanding coaches, and I am confident that this time around will be no different. Indeed, our next head coach will inherit a rich and rare tradition of excellence. UC’s football team is the only major college program in the country to win or share its conference championship in four of the last five years. More importantly, these same student-athletes have maintained one of the highest grade point averages in the nation for bowl-bound teams. Continuing this uncommon success both on and off the field is more than a wish—it is a clear expectation at the University of Cincinnati.

To our loyal fans and supporters, you have my word that we will give our very best to this effort. We are firmly committed to investing in the continued success of our program. Go Bearcats!