RELEASE DATE: 1/30/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FORMER MU STANDOUT JIM SHIFFER NAMED HEAD COACH OF MOUNTAINEER FOOTBALL PROGRAM – MOUNTIES RETURN TO ROOTS IN HIRING 22^ND HEAD COACH IN SCHOOL HISTORY

MANSFIELD – For the first time in 74 years, Mansfield University turned to an alumnus when President John R. Halstead introduced former Mountaineer standout Jim Shiffer as Mansfield’s 22^nd head football coach Friday afternoon.

Halstead made the announcement at a press conference in the Decker Gymnasium lobby packed with media, players, coaches, supporters and staff. “Today is about the future of Mansfield football,” Halstead said.  “The future starts today with the appointment of the 22^nd head coach in our 112 year history.”

A 1989 graduate of Mansfield University, Shiffer was a three-year starter on the offensive line under head coach Tom Elsasser, serving as captain in his senior season.

Shiffer is the first Mansfield graduate to serve as head football coach since Ed Russell’s final season in 1930. Russell played for the Mountaineers in the early 1910s and was later a member of the Canton Bulldogs of the NFL where he blocked for Jim Thorpe. The football practice field is named in his honor.

“Today is also about the past, wearing the jersey, winning the most coveted award in Mountie football, the x’s and o’s, understanding both sides of the line of scrimmage, and building a bridge between the past and the future starting today,” Halstead added. “It’s about continuity and change as we provide a new vision and leadership for the Mansfield University football program.”

“I knew 20 years ago, when I first walked on campus, this was the place for me,” Shiffer said. “That feeling has continued to grow over the years and today feels like I’m home. I’m home and thrilled to be a part of Mountaineer football once again.”

In addition to his Mansfield connections, Shiffer also has a strong background in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. A member of the Millersville University coaching staff from 1989-1992 and again 1994-2002, Shiffer was offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for much of his tenure while also serving as interim head coach and assistant head coach and special teams coordinator.

Shiffer most recently was the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Kutztown University and has also served as an assistant coach at Yale University and the University of Pittsburgh.

“This is a tremendous opportunity,” Shiffer said. “The staff has done an outstanding job bringing the Red and Black pride back and returning MU football to where is belongs. Maintaining the level of excellence they have achieved and building on it is the task at hand, and I think we’re ready to meet that challenge.”

Shiffer takes over a Mountaineer program that returns 18 starters for a team that posted an 8-3 mark in 2003.