WILMINGTON – Wilmington College head coach Stacey Hairston has started the process of filling out his staff with the hiring of former University of Cincinnati assistant coach Greg Forest as the team's offensive coordinator.

He comes to Wilmington after two years at Division III Buffalo State, where he served as the Bengals' offensive coordinator in 2012. The Bengals averaged 23.5 points per game and was second in the Empire 8 in rushing with 270.9 yards per game.

"Greg brings a wealth of successful coaching experience, including coaching at Division I, Division II, and Division III levels," said Hairston. "He understands the Division III philosophy and what it takes to be successful at the Division III level as well. Greg is known throughout the coaching industry as an extremely hard worker and great recruiter. Greg is an offensive expert who will have an immediate impact on our team and its success as we begin this new era. He has experience as a coach in BCS Bowl Game, back-to-back Big East Championships, back-to-back Division II Championships also. He has coached numerous All Americans and coached players that went on to play in the NFL. I am very fortunate to have a coach of Greg's caliber join our staff."

Forest, a 1992 graduate of Ohio Northern, worked under current Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly at Central Michigan and Cincinnati before joining the staff at Buffalo. He spent one season as the Bulls' offensive coordinator.

He was instrumental, as UC's quarterbacks coach, in one of Cincinnati's BIG EAST title runs as due to injuries the Bearcats were forced to use five different quarterbacks in their unbeaten season. He also oversaw the growth and development of two-time BIG EAST quarterback and former Carolina Panther Tony Pike. The 6-6 Pike threw for 2,520 yards and 29 touchdowns as the Bearcats scored a school record 502 points en route to their second straight BIG EAST championship.

Forest replaces Jay Niswonger, who resigned following the 2012 season. Wilmington is coming off a 1-9 season.