DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Bill Elias and Antoine Smith have been added to the Miami University football coaching staff as defensive assistants, head coach Mike Haywood announced Saturday, Jan. 3.

Elias, who has been head football coach for eight years and athletic director the last three at Gannon University in Erie, Pa., will be Miami's new linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator.

Smith, who has spent the last three seasons as defensive line coach at Youngstown State, assumes the same role with the RedHawks.

"Bill Elias and I worked together at LSU," said Haywood, who a day earlier, Jan. 2, had announced that his top assistants would be Carl "Bull" Reese (defensive coordinator) and Peter Vaas (offensive coordinator). "(Elias) is an outstanding technician, fundamentalist and teacher of the game."

Elias coached at LSU (1995-97) in several different capacities.

Haywood said he met Smith at Notre Dame football camps. "The energy and passion with which he coached aroused my curiosity and captured my attention," he said.

Smith, a three-year starter at defensive tackle for Maine, has seven years of coaching experience.

More additions to the Miami staff are expected to be made today.