Maurice Linguist is back on the coaching staff for the University at Buffalo’s football program, this time as its head coach. He was formally introduced Monday morning.
The UB Athletics Department first announced his hire last Friday evening. He is returning to the campus where he served as an assistant football coach in 2012 and 2013. His most recent coaching position was co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at the University of Michigan. He was there only 107 days.
Linguist suggests he'd still be with the Wolverines program if not for the opportunity to return to UB as a head coach.
“I have a lot of familiarity with the University at Buffalo. A lot of great memories that we want to bring back, and bring back the life and continue to build on,” he said. “Obviously, anytime you make a transition, the recruits and the student athletes, and the coaches and the community that you're a part of, it's always difficult. But this was just too good for me to not investigate and be a part of.”
Linguist's other past college coaching jobs included stops at Texas A&M, Minnesota, Mississippi State and Iowa State. He also held an assistant coaching position in the National Football League, with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020.
“We wanted someone of extremely high integrity. We wanted someone who's a proven winner, a relentless recruiter, a family man, which you will see here, as we move forward,” said UB Athletic Director Mark Alnutt. “We wanted somebody that understood Buffalo, understood the Mid American Conference, and more importantly, knew what it takes to continue this tremendous trajectory that we're on. Someone who could connect with our student athletes, connect with the community, someone that could bring some energy to the program.”
Linguist replaces Lance Leipold, who was UB's head football coach for six seasons. He resigned April 30 to accept a similar position at Kansas University. The new coach says he wants to build on his predecessor's culture of success, athletically and academically.
“We're going to work tirelessly to put a product on the field that every fan, supporter, and alumni can be proud of,” he said. “We want non-football fans in Western New York to be attracted to our football program, not just because we had a great season, but because of who we are, and what we stand for as men, the coaching staff, the support staff, the leadership in place, and the players.”
