CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- University of Northern Iowa head football coach Mark Farley has been named UNI interim director of athletics. The appointment is effective Friday, Feb. 1. Farley replaces Rick Hartzell who recently resigned.

"Mark's intimate knowledge of the UNI athletic program, his decision-making abilities, and his willingness to work with his coaching colleagues and staff to continue to move our athletic program forward is what I was looking for during this transition," said Tom Schellhardt, UNI vice president for administration & finance. "Mark is completing his recruiting for the season and has agreed to serve in this interim role as we search for a permanent athletics director. We plan to have the position filled in three to four months."

According to Schellhardt, a national search for a new permanent director of athletics will begin as soon as possible. Farley will not be a candidate for the position.

Farley, who has led the Panther football team for seven years, also has received a contract extension as football coach through 2015. This is a five-year extension, as Farley's current contract was set to expire in 2010.

“I feel very fortunate to be part of a state and university that embraces a quality of life and commitment to excellence that everyone can be proud of,” Farley said.  “I am confident in and thankful for the leadership of President Ben Allen and Tom Schellhardt, and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of their plans for the future.  As the interim athletics director, I look forward to working with my colleagues to guide our department through this transition.”

With the new contract, Farley will receive a base salary of $220,000 with additional incentives based on team athletic and academic performance. The increase from his current salary of $159,000 will come from private funding.

"There was overwhelming response from our Panther supporters to make sure coach Farley continues leading the Panther football program," Schellhardt said. "He has set a standard of excellence since coming on board in 2001."
 
In 2007, the Panther football team completed the first-ever perfect regular season (11-0) in the 23-year history of the Gateway Football Conference and held the No. 1 ranking in the Sports Network Top 25 poll for six straight weeks. In December, Farley received the Eddie Robinson Award, presented annually to the top head coach in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. He also was awarded the Gateway Football Conference's Coach of the Year honor and named the FCS Schutt Sports Coach of the Year by American Football Monthly.

Farley has been a player, assistant coach or head coach for all 13 of the Panthers' FCS postseason appearances. Farley owns seven victories in postseason play, which is the most of any Panther football coach in the history of the program. Farley has compiled an overall mark of 63-25 in seven seasons as a head coach.