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Bill Cubit is new Bronco football coach

Dec. 7, 2004

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University has hired Bill Cubit as head coach of the Bronco football team. The announcement was made today by Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard.

Cubit replaces Gary Darnell, who coached the Broncos for eight seasons beginning in 1997. The appointment is subject to approval by the WMU Board of Trustees, which is expected at the board's Friday meeting.

Cubit becomes the 14th coach in program history as the Broncos embark on their 100th season of varsity football next autumn. He brings 29 years of coaching experience, including 14 years as a head coach on the collegiate and high school level and seven years as an offensive coordinator at four NCAA Division I schools. Overall, Cubit has 19 years of collegiate experience, having worked the sidelines in five of the nation's premiere conferences, Mid-American, Big East, Big XII, PAC-10 and Southeastern. Cubit returns to Western Michigan where he served as offensive coordinator from 1997 to 1999.

"We conducted an extensive search and looked at many qualified candidates who expressed interest in the position," said Beauregard. "After soliciting input from my staff, alumni, graduating student-athletes and the advisory committee, I feel Bill's proven record as a head coach and coordinator at the collegiate level makes him the perfect fit for his first Division I-A head coaching job."

"I'm thankful for the opportunity Western Michigan University has given me to come back to a place I love," said Cubit. "I look forward to bringing the Broncos back to a level of success that is deserving of this program."

Cubit, 51, most recently served as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Stanford University. He coached the quarterbacks for two seasons, 2003-04, and added play-calling duties this past year as offensive coordinator. In 2004, Cubit directed a Cardinal offense that ranked 28th in the nation in passing with 247.3 yards-per-game.

In his first stint with the Broncos, Cubit oversaw an offense that ranked in the NCAA Top 25 for passing, scoring and total offense in back-to-back seasons. The Broncos were the nation's 20th highest-scoring team in 1998, averaging 32.7 points-per-game, and the nation's 23rd highest-scoring squad in 1999, producing 31.1 points-per-game.

Cubit's head coaching experience includes five seasons, 1992-96, at Division III Widener University in Philadelphia. He led the Pioneers to a 34-18-1 mark, two Middle American Conference championships and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. He was twice named conference coach of the year.

Other collegiate stops for Cubit include assistant coaching positions at the University of Akron, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Swarthmore College and Rutgers University.

A Sharon Hill, Pa., native, Cubit earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Delaware in 1975. He played quarterback and wide receiver for the Blue Hens, 1971-74, earning Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention in 1974. He set school records for catches in a game and season, along with receiving yards in a season. In 1981, he earned a master's degree in education from Saint Joseph's University.

Media contact: Daniel Jankowski, 269 387-4138, daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu

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