James Cofer Suddenly Resigns as Missouri State President

Apparently the sweetheart deal to come to Missouri State wasn't sweet enough for Missouri State University President James Cofer. Cofer is resigning as the school's president after just one year of service.

You may remember what Cofer was offered to come to the state run University, which had to put off needed repairs due to budget problems a few months ago.

Missouri State signed Cofer to a four-year contract at a first-year salary of $275,000. The contract also includes a housing allowance, use of an automobile, entertainment expenses and moving expenses. The terms also include a retention incentive that will pay Cofer $200,000 if he fulfills his four-year contract. “The Board was unanimous in its decision,” said Brian Hammons, chair of the Board. “We believe we have a proven leader who will help move the university through the next several years, building on the accomplishments that have occurred since the school was founded, and particularly the five years under Dr. Nietzel. We are excited to get started with President Cofer.”

KY3 reports:

James Cofer announced his resignation as president of Missouri State University on Monday morning. The school says Cofer will move to the faculty fulltime. He will officially relinquish the position of president on July 31 but gave up his day-to-day administrative duties immediately.

The Missouri State Board of Governors met in an unusual meeting on Sunday afternoon by a telephone conference call closed to the public and accepted Cofer's proposed transition. The board has been conducting an evaluation of Cofer for several weeks. He had a four-year contract with MSU that ended in 2014...

Cofer, 61, will return to the faculty of the College of Business Administration as a tenured full professor effective Aug. 1 but said at a news conference that he plans to take a year off before starting his teaching duties. He also said he wants to end his academic career here.

An explanation for the change wasn't provided and details are unknown over what came out of the evaluation.