Hornet Athletic Director Terry Wanless announced Tuesday that John Volek will not return as the Hornet?s head football coach.

Sacramento State will buy out the final year on Volek?s contract, which was priced around $92,000.

“(On Monday) I informed coach Volek we were relieving him of his responsibilities as a head football coach at Sacramento State,” Wanless said. “Obviously this a decision I?ve given a lot of thought to, one that didn?t come about easily, but I felt in the best interest of the football program it was absolutely necessary.”

Volek leaves the program after eight seasons at the helm. During his tenure, the Hornets overall record was dismal (31-56-1), but the program enjoyed personal success.

In 2000, Volek guided the Hornets to a 7-4 mark, while running back Charles Roberts set a Div. I-AA rushing record. Several Hornet football players have gone on to professional careers under Volek?s tutelage, including Roberts (Canadian Football League) and long-snapper Lonnie Paxton (National Football League).

“He?s a man that took over a football program that was on life support and breathed a freshness into it,” Wanless said. “And he leaves behind a great legacy. But despite that I felt it was time for a change.”

Coming off a 2-9 season in 2001, the Hornet football program was befallen with several off-the-field incidents during a 5-7 2002 season. Six players were suspended over the course of the season for violating the athletic department?s code of conduct. Volek also served a one-game suspension following a controversial loss to Montana State for questioning the games? officiating.

Four players were also reprimanded after a loss to the University of Montana, when a photographer caught them spraying a nonstick cooking spray (PAM) on their jerseys.

“The whole purpose of making the change is that we wanted to create an environment that is perhaps a little bit different,” Wanless said. “In no way does that reflect negatively, and I think that is the thing I want to leave (everybody with) is that John did a great job in a lot of areas.

“I don?t know that (Volek was) under the microscope any differently than you would be under normal circumstances, but we?re all human,” he added.

According to Wanless, the search for Volek?s successor starts now.

“Our search for a new football coach will commence immediately,” Wanless added. “I am excited about the fact that we have a chance to set a new direction. We have a chance to build upon what John has left.

“Many of the characteristics we?ll be looking for in a new coach are some of the same characteristics that John left behind,” he added.

Wanless stated that the university is looking for a viable candidate who will make a commitment to the future of the program, as well as its current players.

“I?m looking for a person that will come in and will be able to, first of all, coach the current players that we have,” Wanless said. “I want to make a commitment to our current players that we are going to do the best job we can in finding a person that will come in and coach these kids.”

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Wanless will address the players regarding the future of the football program.

“You never expect your coach to get up and leave, but it?s a reality,” junior receiver Kenan Smith said. “Some people are in shock; some people don?t believe it; some people are glad.”

Volek?s assistant coaches will remain on staff and continue their off-season duties ? namely recruiting. Their contracts are up at the conclusion of the spring semester.