Dec. 15, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Wayne Bolt, UAB's defensive coordinator the past three seasons, has been relieved of his coaching duties, Blazers' head coach Watson Brown announced Thursday.

Bolt was hired to lead the UAB defense in January in 2003 after 12 seasons at Troy. His last five seasons with the Trojans, Bolt had served as defensive coordinator. Bolt also spent time as an assistant at Wyoming, Auburn and Clemson.

At UAB, in addition to heading up the overall defense, he coached the Blazer linebackers. The two top tacklers in UAB history - Zac Woodfin and Nigel Eldridge - both played under Bolt's tutelage.

"I can't say how much I appreciate what Wayne Bolt has done for our football program since he has been here," Brown said in making the announcement. "He is an outstanding football coach and I think the world of him. At this time with our program, though, I just felt that we needed to go in a different direction. I want to wish the absolute best for Wayne in the future."