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A former graduate assistant at Miami, Craig Aukerman was hired to direct the RedHawks' linebacking corps in January of 2005 and was promoted to co-special teams coordinator two years ago.
His 2008 linebacking trio of reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year Clayton Mullins, two-time second-team selection Joey Hudson, and budding star Caleb Bostic was chosen by one pre-season publication to be the league's best unit at that position this coming year.
In his three seasons, Aukerman has produced three different all-MAC linebackers: Mullins, Hudson and 2005 first-team all-MAC selection John Busing.
Aukerman's first season was a challenging one, as injuries robbed the RedHawk linebacking corps of two starters, challenging a number of reserves to take over key roles and accelerating the development of three freshmen. Despite the many obstacles, Aukerman's linebackers helped drive a defense that ranked among the nation's best at forcing turnovers while ranking among the MAC's top three in rushing and scoring defense.
In 2007, his RedHawk `backers were a primary reason that Miami led the MAC in six different statistical categories.
Aukerman, who served as the defensive graduate assistant at Miami during the 2001-02 campaigns, spent the next two seasons at Western Kentucky. Over the 2003 and `04 seasons, Aukerman served in several capacities at NCAA I-AA power Western Kentucky, coaching the outside linebackers in 2003 and serving as inside linebacker coach and special teams coordinator in 2004. Aukerman's efforts helped the Hilltoppers finish among the nation's top 11 teams during both seasons, while twice ranking among the league's top three in scoring defense. His efforts also yielded a pair of all-Gateway Conference linebackers.
In his previous assignment at Miami, Aukerman was responsible for assisting with the defensive backs while also breaking down the opposition's offenses on a weekly basis and directing the offensive scout team.
Aukerman came to Miami from his alma mater Findlay, where he was twice an NAIA All-American for the two-time national champions. A four-year letterwinner (1995-98), Aukerman competed as a defensive back, wide receiver and special teams contributor. After earning his bachelor's degree in 1999, Aukerman stayed on with Findlay as the wide receivers coach for the 2000 season.
Aukerman, his wife, Summer, and their son, Cayden, reside in Oxford.
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