Shoop hired by Columbia

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Bob Shoop has been named the head football coach at Columbia.

He has been the secondary coach at Boston College the past four seasons, and replaces Ray Tellier, who was fired by the Ivy League school after a 1-9 season in 2002.

Shoop, 36, a wide receiver at Yale in the 1980s, began his coaching career in 1989 as an assistant at his alma mater under former Bulldogs coach Carmen Cozza. Shoop was a graduate assistant under George Welsh at Virginia in 1990 before spending three years as an assistant at Northeastern.

Shoop returned to Yale for three seasons from 1994-96, then spent one season each at Villanova and Army before moving on to Boston College.

"Bob brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm," said Columbia Athletic Director John Reeves. "He has advanced quickly through the coaching ranks because of his hard work and dedication. Bob has been associated with some of the best football minds in the country. He is the perfect person to lead the Lions to the next level. He is a smart, driven winner."

Tellier posted a 42-96-2 record in 14 seasons at Columbia. In 1996, he led the Lions to an 8-2 record, their best mark since 1945. Columbia, however, lost its final nine games this season.

The Lions' only win came over Fordham, which advanced to the second round of the Division I-AA playoffs.