ATHENS, Ohio -- Brian Knorr, Ohio's Defensive Coordinator for the past two seasons and an assistant coach with the Bobcats since 1995, has been named head coach, Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh announced this morning. Knorr replaces Jim Grobe, who was named head coach at Wake Forest yesterday.

"It is indeed a pleasure to welcome Coach Knorr as Ohio's 27th head football coach," said Boeh. "Over the past six years Brian has clearly displayed the quality of character, passion for the game and exception coaching expertise that equips him to lead the Ohio Bobcat football program to the Mid-American Conference Championship."

Knorr, 36, has been the guiding force behind the Bobcats' resurgence on the defensive front over the last two years. The Bobcats ranked third in the Mid-American Conference in scoring, rushing and total defense this past season and third in total defense and fifth in scoring defense in 1999. This year's team was one of just five in the nation to hold opponents to less than 30 points in every contest.

A native of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Knorr came to Ohio with Grobe in 1995. He served as the inside linebackers coach for four seasons before adding coordinator duties two years ago. During his tenure in Athens, Knorr has guided several Bobcats to individual Mid-American Conference honors, including Matt Weikert, a second-team choice this past season. Tom Carder garnered first-team All-MAC honors in 1998 after earning honorable mention honors in 1996, while Tom Smith was selected to the MAC All-Academic Football Team in 1997.

Knorr began his coaching career at his alma mater, the United States Air Force Academy, serving as assistant offensive line coach, head junior varsity coach and administrative assistant to the head coach from 1992-94. He joined the Falcons following five years as a captain on active duty, stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.

As a three-year letterman, Knorr quarterbacked the USAFA to three bowl appearances. He served as a team captain his senior season.

Knorr received a bachelor's degree in management from the Air Force Academy in 1986 and an M.B.A. from Dayton in 1991. He and his wife, Julie, have a daughter, Katie, and twins, Reagan (girl) and Brett (boy).


Knorr Quick Facts

Coaching Experience:


1999 - Present - Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebacker Coach, Ohio
1995 - 1998 - Inside Linebacker Coach, Ohio
1992-94 - Intercollegiate Program Manager, Air Force Academy: Head Junior Varsity Coach, Varsity Assistant Offensive Line Coach
1987-92- Active Duty, USAF Captain
Playing Experience:


1982-85 - Air Force Academy; Position: quarterback; Honors: three-year letterwinner, team captain
Education:


1991 - M.B.A., University of Dayton
1986 - B.S., management, United States Air Force Academy
Family:


Wife - Julie
Children - Katie, Reagan and Brett