TicketsJan. 12, 2010
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati head football coach Butch Jones announced former Central Michigan University assistant Mike Bajakian as the Bearcats' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tuesday.
Bajakian, who directed a fast-paced and high-scoring offense at CMU, brings nearly 15 years of experience coaching at the collegiate level and in the NFL.
"Mike is a very detailed and highly organized individual," Jones said. "He is a tremendous teacher of the fine details that it takes to play the quarterback position at a championship level."
Bajakian's CMU offense ranked in the MAC's top-5 in most offensive categories in 2009, including leading the league in scoring offense (33.9 ppg) and passing efficiency (146.96). CMU's scoring offense was ranked 15th nationally in 2009 while its passing efficiency mark was 14th overall.
CMU finished second in the MAC in total offense and 24th nationally, averaging 423.14 yards per game. The Chippewas tied a school record with 28 passing touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. CMU's offense also set record marks for completion percentage three times during his tenure, including the school-record mark of 68.7 percent in 2009.
Over the last three years, CMU scored 30 or more points 24 times, 40 or more points 13 times and 50 or more points five times. The 2007-09 Chippewas have been the three highest scoring teams CMU has fielded since joining the MAC in 1975.
More than 30 school records were set or broken during Bajakian's tenure at CMU, and the offensive unit produced five all-MAC selections in 2009, including stalwart quarterback Dan LeFevour, who earned the MAC Player of the Year honor as well as his second award as MAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Bajakian also had coaching stints with the Chicago Bears, Rutgers University, Sacred Heart University, and the University of Michigan. He is a 1996 graduate of Williams College in Williamstown, Mass.
Jones, who was named head coach on Dec. 16, 2009, previously named co-defensive coordinators Tim Banks and Jon Jancek, associate head coach/defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs, assistant head coach/defensive line coach Steve Stripling, running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Mark Elder, tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Phil Zacharias, offensive line coach Don Mahoney, and head football strength and conditioning coach Dave Lawson to his staff.
Additional staff appointments will be announced once finalized.