By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

University of Cincinnati football coach Rick Minter says he's aware of the fan criticism and has seen the Web site calling for him to be fired in light of what has been a disappointing 5-6 season, but he says he won't let either affect him as he prepares for Friday's season finale against Louisville.

"I don't have any control over it, so it wouldn't do me any good," Minter said. "I basically answer to a director and I answer to a president. As long as they say it's OK that I stay, then I'll stay. Nobody else is going to dictate that."

UC athletic director Bob Goin, when asked about Minter's status Monday, said only that Minter and the program would be evaluated at the end of the season, as it is at end of every season.

Minter, 49, has a 53-62-1 record in his 10th season at UC. His 53 wins are the most ever by a UC football coach, as are his 62 losses. He also has the longest tenure for a UC football coach.

Under Minter, who has three years left on his contract at a base salary of $155,000, UC has posted five winning seasons and one .500 season. He has guided the Bearcats to four bowl games, the school's first bowl appearances since 1950, and last year shared the Conference USA championship, the school's first league title since 1964.

"As time goes on you'll be measured by your own standard," Minter said. "When I came here they had one winning season in 13 years and no bowl games in (nearly) 50 years. That's not the case anymore. But I'm no longer judged by that standard. It'll be what have you done lately? I understand that. I understand the nature of the business."

Actually, UC posted three winning seasons in the 13 years before Minter's arrival in 1994.

But despite Minter's accomplishments, if UC loses to Louisville (8-3), the Bearcats will have posted three losing seasons in the last six. They are 19-17 since Gino Guidugli took over at quarterback in the second game of the 2001 season, even though Guidugli has already broken most of the school's passing records.

UC has had only one eight-victory season under Minter. That was in 1997 and was followed by a 2-9 season the following year.

With UC set to enter the higher-profile Big East Conference in 2005, some fans are calling for a change now.

"There was a reason why this job has been a struggle for 40 years," Minter said. "We've struggled to fight through the obstacles that are before us and tried to build a program. Maybe one of the missing links to help us in our cause could be an affiliation with another conference to open awareness in recruits' eyes and fans in general.

"Unfortunately, the way I take it, it would be perceived that now that we're going to another league, now we need another coach. I don't see where that logic comes along, but that's people's opinion. Rather than saying it's been difficult and we've done pretty good under the circumstances, now let's enhance ourselves, let's get a more quality opportunity around us and see what we can do."

UC under Minter

1994	2-8-1
1995	6-5
1996	6-5
1997	8-4
1998	2-9
1999	3-8
2000	7-5
2001	7-5
2002	7-7
2003	5-6

Up next

Friday: Louisville (8-3, 4-3) at UC (5-6, 2-5).

Kickoff/TV: 11 a.m., ESPN2

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com