BUFFALO, N.Y. – Buffalo State Football Associate Head Coach Terry Bitka has announced his retirement, effective at the end of the summer. Bitka, the longest current tenured member of the Buffalo State Bengals department, has spent the last 36 years as a member of the Bengals' Football coaching staff.

"Coach Bitka is part of what has made Buffalo State such a special place for so many years," said Director of Athletics Renee Carlineo. "He has touched the lives of hundreds of young men and still maintains so many of those connections and friendships today. Terry came to Buffalo State as a young coach and leaves an impression here that will still be felt for generations. He challenged me to become a better coach in my early days at Buffalo State and I will forever be thankful for the memories and his friendship. We wish him the best of luck and all the great things retirement has to offer – especially the ability to watch his children coach and play in the prime of their athletic years."
 
Buffalo State's football history lives through Bitka, who arrived to Buffalo State in the program's seventh season in 1986. He spent the first six years as a part-time assistant working with the offensive line, before becoming a full-time member of the coaching staff in 1992. He also spent time as the department's assistant strength coach and worked in the Residence Life office.
 
The nineties were very good for the Bengal football program, as the team, led by Bitka and former head coach Jerry Boyes, ripped off a 78-26 record during that decade. They advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 1992 and '98, and winning ECAC Bowl titles in 1991 and '97. Bitka and the coaching staff was named ECAC Upstate Coach Staff of the Year in 1990, '92, and '98, and was the CNN Division III Coaching Staff of the Year in 1995. He was elevated to Associate Head Coach in 1998 and was named the team's Defensive Coordinator in 1999.
 
"Terry is the type of coach that any head coach in this country would want," said Boyes, who hired Bitka as his first move in 1986. "He's steadfast in his loyalty, but he's also never afraid to speak up in meetings. He is one hell of a guy to have by your side. I hired him as an offensive line coach, and was willing to make a seamless move over to the defensive side when [Gene] Zinni came on, without batting an eye.

"A football staff puts in a lot of hours during the season, and you recruit in the offseason. You really get to know each other through good times and bad, but you go through it together. Our families are very close to this day, and I'm proud of that. Our coaching relationship has turned into a lifelong friendship that will stand the test of time."
 
In all, Bitka has seen 156 of the program's 175 victories all-time, including seven NCAA and six ECAC Bowl appearances. He's coached seven All-Americans on the defensive side, including first team selections Jon Crumley (1999) and Omar Rimlawi (2000). Since Buffalo State left the independent ranks in 2004, he's aided in the development of 122 all-conference selections. He's worked under five head coaches: Boyes (1986-00, 09-18), Bob Swank (2001-03), Paul Shaffner (2004-08), Christian Ozolins (2019-21) and current head coach Lazarus Morgan (2022). He holds the distinct honor to have either played against, coached against, or been on the same team as anyone that's ever played for the Bengals.

"Coach Bitka has given his heart and soul to this academic institution and the football program here at Buffalo State," Morgan said. "He has been very instrumental in the success of the Buffalo State Football program over the past 36 years. On a personal level, he was gracious with his time and energy, helping me to prepare for the journey ahead when it comes to leading these young men in our program. He will always be a member of our football family. Thank you Coach Bitka!"

Bitka was a 1986 graduate of SUNY Cortland, where he was a team captain of the football team. He was selected as an ECAC All-Star as a senior and earned the "Best Offensive Lineman" award twice from Cortland Athletics. He also served a brief stint on the Red Dragon coaching staff After receiving a bachelor's degree in geography in the spring of 1986, he earned a master's degree in student personnel administration from Buffalo State in 1991. Bitka will enjoy retirement with his wife, Heather, and his three children Emily, Brandon, and Ryan. Emily is the current assistant coach of the Cortland women's lacrosse team, while Ryan is a current offensive lineman for the Cortland football team and Brandon is a Graduate Assistant in the Athletics department at Hilbert College after a solid men's lacrosse career.