DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Defensive coordinator Jay Hood has made such an impact in his first three years with Miami University's football program that he has earned the additional responsibility as associate head coach.

The former three-time team captain at Ohio Wesleyan University had been promoted to defensive coordinator in 2007, and by the end of the season his unit was ranked No. 1 in Mid-American Conference games in total defense, rushing defense, passing defense, scoring defense and quarterback sacks.

That's good, as far as Hood is concerned, but not quite good enough.

Miami's 12-game regular schedule this fall starts off with four games against non-conference opponents, starting with Vanderbilt at home on Aug. 28, followed by a visit to Michigan.

That's a concern for Hood, because there were times last year when Miami's defense came up short in non-conference games.

"The biggest hope I have is that we can be a much more consistent unit," Hood said. "Hopefully we can play at a high level every week, whether it's a MAC game or a non-conference game. That's the true challenge.

"When I look at us in non-conference games last year," he added, "our run defense wasn't as good as it was in our conference games."

Minnesota racked up 306 rushing yards against the RedHawks in a triple-overtime contest and Colorado erupted for up 359 yards on the ground two weeks later.

"Hopefully we'll be an older group and can execute at a higher level," Hood said. "Part of that is maturity."

Right now, Miami's starting defense includes four seniors in linebackers Joey Hudson and Clayton Mullins, defensive end Joe Coniglio and strong safety Robbie Wilson, and also six juniors.

Hood, however, doesn't want his players to start patting themselves on the back quite yet.

"One of our concerns is realizing hat just because there's a lot of guys coming back doesn't mean we're going to be good again this year," he cautioned. "We have to earn it on the practice field. We're trying to make sure the kids understand that."

Hood said the RedHawks will have to work on gaining strength and durability.

"Part of it is the ability to be physical up front," he said. "Let's face it, a lot of those BCS teams are very physical up front. We've got to be able to learn to hang in there punch for punch with those people."

Miami will hold seven more spring practice sessions and then play its annual Spring Game on Friday, April 25, starting at 8 p.m.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

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