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Students, Players Hopeful Things Will Change After Bohn's Departure

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - News of the resignation of Mike Bohn came as a surprise to many on the University of Colorado campus on Tuesday, but many also said this may be the perfect move for restoring a winning football tradition in Boulder.

Bohn, who has three years left on his contract, reacted with the following comment to CBS4's Vic Lombardi: "I'm floored." He has been AD since 2005 and his highlight during his tenure as AD was the transition from the Big 12 to the Pac-12 conference. A lowlight came last November when the school fired head football coach Jon Embree after the team's disastrous 1-11 record in 2012, which included no wins at Folsom Field in Boulder.

"If you're on a losing streak and a lot of money is going into your program and there's no change, then something has to change," said student Christina Bonfanti. "I hope this means we get a better football team."

Chancellor Phil DiStefano thanked Bohn in a prepared statement for his "key role in revitalizing mens and women's basketball, helping us join the Pac-12 Conference and taking important steps to upgrade facilities at CU Boulder."

"I've always been curious that we didn't have an even better athletic program across the board," said Professor Walter Beamer, who teaches in the engineering department. "Hopefully that's a reality in the future."

VIDEO: CBS4's Vic Lombardi Surprised By The Timing Of CU's Move

Mark Mustoe, an offensive lineman for CU, says his team bears some of the responsible for Bohn's failure. He's hoping the change will be for the better.

"I just hope it works out best for the program and for the school," Musto said. "If it starts at the top and someone new comes in and he helps us and we help him it should be good."

George Solich, one of the school's biggest boosters, told CBS4 in an email: "In Mike Bohn's eight years as AD at the University of Colorado he gave more than he took, and I'm proud to call him my friend."

Former women's basketball coach Ceal Barry will act as interim athletic director while the school searches for a replacement for Bohn.

School officials told CBS4 Bohn will receive $918,000 in severance pay, which is his base salary multiplied by three.

RELATED: Bohn Tells Staff CU 'Wanted To Go In Different Direction'

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