Jon Wauford Named Defensive Line Coach and Defensive Run-Game Coordinator

KENT, Ohio --- Jon Wauford, who previously spent three years as defensive coordinator at Miami University, has been named defensive line coach and defensive run-game coordinator at Kent State University, KSU head coach Dean Pees announced Friday (Jan. 2). Wauford will begin his new position Jan. 9.

A native of Findlay, Wauford was the defensive coordinator at Miami from 2000-02 following one season as the teams defensive line coach and special teams coordinator. He helped lead the RedHawks to a four-year record of 27-19, including a Mid-American Conference mark of 22-10 and two second-place finishes in the East Division. In 1999, one of his pupils, tackle Andy Aracri, earned first-team All-MAC honors and ranked among the national leaders in tackles-for-loss. In addition, Wauford was responsible for recruiting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the 2003 MAC Player of the Year and probable first-round NFL draft pick, to Oxford in 2000.

Jon will make a great addition to our staff, Pees said. He has an extensive knowledge of and experience in the Mid-American Conference as both a player and defensive coordinator, and also is very familiar with recruiting in the state of Ohio. His expertise on the defensive line will add to our overall success.

Prior to his time at Miami, Wauford was an assistant coach for four years at the University of Findlay, serving as outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. He helped guide the Oilers to the NAIA Division II national championship in 1995 and the NAIA national title in 1997. During that time, he also worked in the Findlay City Schools as a special education specialist.

Wauford, 33, most recently served as the offensive and special teams coordinator at Clinton (Iowa) High School this past fall and also was a special education teacher in the Clinton City Schools.

This is an exciting opportunity for me and for my family, said Wauford. During my four years at Miami, I admired the way Coach Pees was building the program at Kent State. Im looking forward to getting on board and helping lead this team to a championship.

As a player at Miami, Wauford was a three-time All-MAC selection at defensive end from 1989-91, earning first-team honors each of the last two seasons, and was the schools Vern Smith Award nominee as MAC MVP as a senior. He ranks among Miamis all-time tackle leaders and still holds the school record for career sacks. Several years ago he was one of four defensive linemen named to the Cincinnati Enquirers All-20th Century Miami Football Team.

Following his Miami career, Wauford played in the Canadian Football League for the Ottawa Rough Riders, British Columbia Lions and Las Vegas Posse.

Wauford earned a bachelors degree in secondary education from Miami in 1994 and a masters in special education from Findlay in 1997. Wauford was a three-time all-conference selection at Findlay High School as both a tailback and linebacker. As a senior, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the Buckeye Central Conference.

Wauford replaces Mike Drake, the lone remaining member of Pees original staff at Kent State, who has been temporarily reassigned to be an academic counselor in the KSU athletic department. Drake was diagnosed with cancer last spring and currently is undergoing treatment for the illness.

Wauford and his wife, Ivy, are the parents of a daughter, Alexis (3).

In another move related to Waufords hiring, assistant coach Larry McDaniel now will tutor the outside linebackers after coaching the defensive tackles in his first season at Kent State this past fall. Also comprising Kent States defensive staff are new defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis, who will coach the secondary, and Lonnie Messick, who will continue to mentor the inside linebackers.

Jon Wauford Named Defensive Line Coach and Defensive Run-Game Coordinator

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