Sp o r t s In f o r m a t i o n Of f i c e Sp o r t s In f o r m a t i o n Di r e c t o r : Ji m St r e e t e r 307 Co n v o c a t i o n Ce n t e r As s t . Sp o r t s In f o r m a t i o n Di r e c t o r : Gr e g St e i n e r Yp s i l a n t i , Mi c h i g a n 48197 SID Gr a d u a t e As s i s t a n t s : Am a n d a De c k e r , Sa r a h Va n Me t r e , Da n Wy a r 734.487.0317 FAX: 734.485.3840 SID St u d e n t St a ff : Ch r i s Pu z z u o l i , Amy Zi e m a k , Ni c o l e Ph e l p s w e b s i t e : w w w .e m u e a g l e s .c o m Nov. 24, 2008 For Immediate Release EMU HEAD FOOTBALL COACH JEFF GENYK RELIEVED OF HIS DUTIES Will coach the Eagles in their final 2008 game at home against Central Michigan

YPSILANTI, Mich. ­— Eastern Michigan University Director of Athletics Dr. Derrick Gragg has announced that head football coach Jeff Genyk was released from his contract effective today, Nov. 24. He will coach the team in its final game of the 2008 season, Friday, Nov. 28, at home against Central Michigan University.

“Earlier this morning, after consulting President Susan Martin, I informed coach Jeff Genyk of my decision to move our football program in another direction, at the conclusion of this season,” Gragg said. ”I thanked coach Genyk for his service to EMU, and offered him the opportunity to coach our team’s final game this week against Central Michigan University, which he has accepted.”

The 2008 season was Genyk’s fifth as the head coach of the Eagles. He has a 15-42 overall record and a 12- 26 Mid-American Conference mark heading into the season finale against Central Michigan. His best season came in 2007 when he led the Eagles to a 4-8 overall record and a 3-4 MAC mark, good for a tie for third in the MAC West Division. That 2007 season also saw his team win the Michigan MAC Trophy for the second time after the Eagles defeated both Western Michigan and Central Michigan.

“Winning consistently in football has been a challenge for our institution long before the arrival of coach Genyk. I credit coach Genyk and his entire staff for working tirelessly in attempting to improve our program,” Gragg added, “but, we have not met our aspirations for football.

“Under the leadership of the President and the Regents, EMU is experiencing a rebirth that is being felt throughout our campus,” Gragg explained. “We have won 14 MAC championships in the last 24 months, which is a ringing tribute to our student-athletes, coaches and staff, and I want our football program to be part of that renaissance.”

“A search for a new leader of our football program will begin immediately,” Gragg said. “ We will engage a search firm that will assist us in our process. In addition, former University of Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr has agreed, at my request, to serve as an unpaid adviser throughout our search process. I served as Director for Compliance at the University of Michigan, from 1997-2000, where I had the opportunity to work with coach Carr. Carr coached at EMU and enjoys a good relationship with me and many others within our University’s leadership.”

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THE JEFF GENYK FILE Name: Jeff Genyk Born: August 22, 1960 High School: Milan, Mich. College: Bowling Green State University - Graduated in 1982 Family Wife-Lisa Children Jake and McKenna

Coaching Experience Year School Position Overall Record MAC Record MAC Finish Eastern Michigan University Head Coach 2008 2-9 1-6 2007 4-8 3-4 t-3rd-W 2006 1-11 1-7 6th-W 2005 4-7 3-5 6th-W 2004 4-7 4-4 4th-W

Northwestern University 2000-03 Recruiting Coord./Running Backs and Special Teams Coach 1998 Safeties and Special Teams Coach 1997 Outside Linebackers and Special Teams Coach 1995-96 Director of Football Operations 1993-94 Graduate Asst.

Grand Rapids Community College 1990-92 Receivers and Quarterbacks Coach

Bowling Green State University 1978-1981 Member of the Varsity Football Team