Greeley, CO (Sports Network) - Northern Colorado announced it is replacing head coach Scott Downing after five subpar seasons.

The Bears finished the season with their second straight 3-8 record, and were 2-6 in Big Sky Conference games. Downing took over the program when it transitioned from the Great West Conference to the Big Sky before the 2006 season, but they were 9-47 overall and 6-37 in conference games during his five seasons.

A search committee to find a successor will be formed immediately.

"Coach Downing has done a very good job under challenging conditions in building a Division I FCS Big Sky Conference football program here at Northern Colorado," Northern Colorado director of athletics Jay Hinrichs said. "His commitment to building this program is unparalleled.

"Without Coach Downing we would not have the great practice, instruction and team-room facilities on our campus today. We would not have the best football graduation success rate in the Big Sky Conference for the last two years. We would not have such exemplary young people representing Northern Colorado, Greeley and the entire Northern Colorado regional community.

"While competitive in nearly every game this fall, football is a game that must be measured in wins and losses. We have not made those improvements on the field, at the end of game and at the end of the season that must be what we aspire to. With that said, it is time for a change in head coaches."

Defensive coordinator Cody Deti and offensive coordinator Greg Peterson will coordinate the program's immediate off-season academic and athletic conditioning activities and the 2011 recruiting process.

11/17 10:06:02 ET