No reason given for resignations

— -- TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Five Florida A&M assistant coaches, including the younger brother of head coach Billy Joe, resigned Friday in another troubling sign for the embattled Division I-AA program. Offensive coordinator and receivers coach James Joe, interim defensive coordinator and secondary coach Derek Hill, running backs coach Allen Bogan, defensive line coach Herbert Moore and linebackers and special teams coach Terry Jones all left -- leaving just two assistants on the staff. No reason for the departures was announced. School officials didn't return a call seeking comment. "I want to thank them for their years of service to the university and me, and I wish them well in all future endeavors," Billy Joe said in statement. In December, the school declined to offer a contract extension to Billy Joe, who is 86-46 in 11 seasons. School officials have told Joe his contract could be terminated after the 2005 season. Florida A&M's athletic budget was cut by 20 percent last year, and more cuts may come. Joe, who makes $135,000 annually, said last year he'd be willing to accept a buyout -- but he was told no money was available. University President Fred Gainous was fired Sept. 28, eight months after pulling the plug on an effort to move football to the Division I-A ranks. Also, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference stripped the university last year of 11 conference titles, including two in football, as punishment for 196 NCAA rule violations.