West Virginia University Institute of Technology head football coach Mauro Monz will no longer coach the Golden Bears, Interim Athletic Director Sandra Elmore announced today (Dec. 14).

However, Tech officials will retain the services of Monz as a special assistant to Interim President GalanLannyJaneksela through June 2005, the end of Monzcurrent contract.

WVU Tech football has undergone an extensive review, and we feel this move is in the best interest of Techs football program,said Dr. Elmore, who along with Dr. Janeksela met with Monz Tuesday to inform him of the decision.

A search for an interim coach will begin immediately, Elmore said. It is anticipated that a permanent coach will be in place following the arrival of a new president.

Earlier this month, WVU Tech decided to continue its football program for at least another season after community members and alumni expressed a strong commitment to work with Tech to maintain football on a permanent basis.

Tech officials are committedas long as there is financial support from alumni, friends and the communityto the long-term success of the football program,Elmore added.

The possible elimination of WVU Techs football program was included in a list of recommendations released in August by a strategic planning task force. Since that time, an Athletic Department Strategic Planning Committee along with the administration has been reviewing the issue along with other athletic programs at Tech.