Connecticut has fired head football coach Paul Pasqualoni after a disappointing 0-4 start.
Athletic director Warde Manuel announced the news Monday morning. In addition to Pasqualoni, the team’s associate head coach and offensive line coach George DeLeone was also let go, ESPN reports.
On Sunday, UConn fell to Buffalo 41-12, which continued the season’s downward spiral. That loss, coupled with Pasqualoni’s losing record, prompted the university to make the move.
"I am making this change in our football coaching staff now as we approach the conference season to see an improved performance from our football program," Manuel said in a statement. "I am disappointed in the record of our team thus far, but I am confident that our coaching staff and student-athletes will continue to work hard to improve and that will be reflected on the field of play as we start our American Athletic Conference season."
UConn hired Paqualoni in 2011 to replace Randy Edsall, who led the team through transition to the FBS in 2000 and into the Big East in 2004, eventually reaching five bowl games. That success, however, did not carry over into Pasqualoni’s tenure, instead he finished 5-7 in each of his first two seasons, according to USA Today.
Before being hired by Connecticut, Pasqualoni spent six seasons as an assistant in the NFL, but the 64-year-old is best known for his time as the head coach of Syracuse from 1991-2004.
The school will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. ET to announce an interim coach. As for Pasqualoni, he will receive $750,000 when the Huskies buy out his contract.