RICHMOND, Ky. - Eastern Kentucky University football coach Roy Kidd has announced that Wesley McGriff, former assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Kentucky State University, has been named assistant football coach at EKU in charge of the Colonels' secondary.

McGriff, 32, has spent the past five years at Kentucky State where his Thorobred defensive teams have become nationally renown and ranked during this period. His 1995 KSU defensive team led NCAA Division II in total defense, the 1996 'Breds' defense was ranked 8^th in the nation in total defense and Kentucky State's 1997 pass defense led the nation, while the 'Breds' also finished No. 5 in total defense that same year.

He was the American Football Coaches Association's NCAA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year in 1998.

"We're very pleased that Wesley has decided to join our staff. He comes from an excellent background and has outstanding credentials," said Kidd. "Our staff was really impressed with Wesley in his interview. We're looking forward to his contributions in his role as defensive backfield coach and in his help with recruiting."

McGriff's enthusiasm and defensive strategies have brought him respect throughout the SIAC and collegiate football. He is considered one of the top young coaching talents in football.

"I believe it is, indeed, a blessing to come to EKU and to be able to work with the outstanding football program coach Kidd has established," said McGriff. "Roy Kidd is to I-AA football like (Joe) Paterno or (Bobby) Bowden is to I-A football. He is an icon and I think this is a great honor and great opportunity for me to learn from him."

McGriff, a native of Tifton, GA, graduated from Tift County High School in 1985 where he played three years for TCHS at right cornerback, wide receiver and punt returner. He was a member of the 1983 Tift County High School team that won Georgia's Class AAAA state championship.

Upon graduation, McGriff played one season at South Carolina State, before transferring to Savannah State College where he played outside linebacker for three seasons. While at Savannah State, he was captain of the football team, was named Most Valuable Defensive Player and was chosen as the 1989 Male Academic Athlete of the Year at SSC.

He graduated cum laude from Savannah State in 1990 with a bachelors of science degree in criminal justice and began his coaching career later that same year as a graduate assistant at his alma mater as the runningbacks coach. In 1991, he was named Housing Director, Defensive Backfield Coach and Head Baseball Coach at SSC.

McGriff also served as defensive coordinator and linebacker coach from 1993-94 and Interim Head Football Coach during the spring of '93 at Savannah State.

While serving as baseball coach, McGriff won two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball championships (1993 and 1995) and was named SIAC Baseball Coach of the Year both seasons.

McGriff received his masters of science degree in public administration from Georgia Southern in 1993.

He is married to the former Karen Butler of Savannah, GA, and they have one son, Jaylen, four years old.