During a press conference held Monday, Dec. 11, The University of Findlay’s Steven Rackley, director of athletics, announced the hiring of Jon Wauford as the Oilers new head football coach. Wauford had served as the Oilers assistant head coach and defensive coordinator during the 2006 season under Dan Simrell.

“After interviewing numerous candidates who had proven themselves to be highly qualified for the position, it became undoubtedly clear Coach Wauford was the ideal person to take over the reigns of our program,” said Rackley. “Being a Findlay native and having served on our coaching staff on two different occasions, we feel his experiences and history with the Oilers has prepared him extremely well to guide our program into the future.”

A native of Findlay and a UF alumnus, Wauford becomes the 27th head coach in the history of Findlay football with his new appointment. He completed his undergraduate studies at Miami University and graduate studies at UF.

“I am very honored to accept the head coaching position at Findlay,” said Wauford. “Being the head coach at The University of Findlay is something I have always dreamt about. I am very anxious to get the ball rolling and prepare for next year as we look to add to the storied tradition of football excellence at UF.”

In 2006, Wauford’s defense showed remarkable improvement over the year before, limiting opponents to nearly 100 fewer points than the 2005 season. His unit also held opponents to 118 fewer yards per game than the 2005 team and recorded their first shutout win since the 2004 season by defeating rival Ashland University 7-0 on Oct. 28.

On Sept. 2, Wauford and his defense held Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Grand Valley State University to their lowest point total of the season in a 13-0 loss at Donnell Stadium. The Lakers, who have won three out of the last four NCAA Division II national titles, will be competing for their fourth in five years next Saturday against Northwest Missouri State University in a rematch of the 2005 championship game.

Wauford began his coaching career at UF when he served as the outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator from 1995-98. While at Findlay, he helped guide the Oilers to the NAIA Division II national championship in 1995 and the NAIA national title in 1997.

In 1999, Wauford headed to Miami University where he served as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator before being promoted to defensive coordinator at the start of the 2000 season. He helped guide the Red Hawks 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 addition, Wauford was responsible for recruiting Findlay High School and current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the 2003 Mid American Conference Player of the Year, 2004 NFL Rookie of the Year and 2006 NFL Super Bowl champion, to Oxford in 2000.

After his stop in Oxford, Wauford gained valuable experience coaching and teaching at the high school level as the offensive and special teams coordinator at Clinton (Iowa) High School in 2003. He also was a special education teacher during his time in the Clinton City Schools.

From there, he went to Kent State University, where he served as the defensive line coach and defensive run-game coordinator during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

As a player at Miami, Wauford was a three-time all-MAC selection at defensive end from 1989-91, earning first-team honors as a junior and senior, and was the school’s Vern Smith Award nominee as the MAC MVP as a senior. He ranks among Miami’s all-time tackle leaders and still holds school records for most sacks in a season (14), career sacks (35) and pass sack yards (240).

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

In the prep ranks, Wauford was a three-time all-conference selection for the Trojans 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.

For additional information, contact Dave Buck, director of sports information, at 419-434-4727.