Pete Rekstis Position: Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Experience: First Season Alma Mater: Youngstown State '91

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No stranger to the Mid-American Conference, Pete Rekstis became Miami's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach on Jan. 13. He previously served seven seasons as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at MAC East rival Kent State. Rekstis brings with him a reputation as an outstanding defensive mind, a great motivator and a solid recruiter and developer of NFL-caliber talent.

Since Rekstis took over in 2004, a pair of Golden Flash defensive backs have been selected in the NFL draft: Usama Young (Saints, 3rd Round, 2007) and Jack Williams (Broncos, 4th Round, 2008); while Abe Elam (Browns) and Daniel Muir (Colts) have gone on to find success via the free agency route. This past season, defensive lineman Roosevelt Nix became the first freshman ever to win the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year award.

In 2010, Kent State ranked second in the country in tackles for loss (8.3), fifth in rushing defense (97.2), 11th in sacks (2.9) and 13th in total defense (306.7), setting a school record with 35 sacks. The Golden Flashes held two opponents to negative yards rushing.

Prior to coming to Kent State, Rekstis coached the secondary at his alma mater, Youngstown State, from 1999-2003 and coordinated the Penguins' defense the last three seasons. In 1999, Youngstown State posted a record of 12-3 and advanced to the Division I-AA national championship game. In Rekstis' five years at YSU, the Penguins intercepted 74 passes, an average of nearly 15 per season.

Before returning to Youngstown State, Rekstis served as defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Austin Peay from 1997-98 and as defensive coordinator at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from 1994-96. He was a four-year starter at free safety at Youngstown State from 1987-90, where he played for Tressel and helped the Penguins to a record of 32-16.

A native of Cleveland, Rekstis graduated from Youngstown State in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in history. He and his wife Gina have three daughters, twins Jessica and Sara, and Natalie, and a son, Pete III (Trey).