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 | Position:
Secondary Coach
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| Years:
Fourth Season
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Wesley McGriff is in his fourth year on the University of Miami coaching staff as the Hurricanes' defensive backs coach.
McGriff returns an experienced group in the secondary in 2010, featuring 2009 All-America selection Brandon Harris. Harris ranked in the top five nationally in passes defended and pass breakups. In 2008, Miami ranked seventh nationally and second in the ACC in pass defense, yielding just 165.6 yards through the air. Only four teams threw for more than 200 yards in 13 contests, while four teams were held under 100 yards passing.
In 2007, McGriff helped safety Kenny Phillips in his final season with the Hurricanes earn Second Team All-America honors. Phillips was the first round draft pick of the New York Giants. That season, Miami ranked sixth in the ACC in passing defense.
An extremely versatile coach, McGriff has mentored players on both sides of the ball during his 18-year career, including two stints as a defensive coordinator. Considered one of the Big 12's top recruiters, McGriff came to Miami in 2007 after a few weeks on the staff at Kansas State and four years at Baylor, where he served as recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach under Guy Morriss.
At Baylor, McGriff's defensive backs ranked 13th in pass efficiency in 2005. The 2005 Baylor defense allowed just 14 touchdowns through the air, its fewest since 1998, and recorded its most interceptions (16) since 1994, with McGriff's cornerbacks accounting for 11 interceptions.
Prior to his stint at Baylor, McGriff spent two seasons on Morriss' Kentucky staff, coaching the running backs in 2001 before returning to the defensive side of the ball as UK's cornerbacks coach in 2002.
McGriff spent the 2000 campaign as the secondary coach at Eastern Kentucky, where he mentored Yeremiah Bell, a first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference pick who went on to be drafted by the Miami Dolphins. The 2000 Colonels ranked fourth nationally in total defense, fifth in scoring defense and ninth in passing yardage allowed, while posting four shutouts during the season.
From 1995 through 1999, McGriff served as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Kentucky State, where his defenses posted numerous top-10 statistical rankings, including leading the nation in total defense in 1995 and pass yardage defense in 1997. In 1998, he was named the American Football Coaches Association's NCAA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year.
McGriff began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, Savannah State, where he coached the Tigers' running backs in 1990 before moving into a full-time role as secondary coach in 1991-92. He then served as Savannah State's defensive coordinator in 1993-94, and he was the team's interim head coach for three months in spring 1993.
In addition, he was Savannah State's head baseball coach from 1991-95, winning two conference championships and being named conference Coach of the Year twice.
A native of Tifton, Ga., McGriff played cornerback, running back and wide receiver for the Tift County High School state championship team. He played at South Carolina State for one year before transferring to Savannah State, where he started at outside linebacker for three seasons and was named the conference's 1989 Male Academic Athlete of the Year. He received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Savannah State in 1990 and graduated cum laude. In 1993, he earned a master's in public administration from Georgia Southern, graduating with distinction.
McGriff was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1990 and was a member of the Army Reserves until 2001. He and his wife, Karen, have a son, Jaylen.
McGriff At A Glance
Personal Information
Full Name: Wesley Keith McGriff
Birthdate: January 23, 1968
Hometown: Tifton, Ga.
Education: B.S. criminal justice, Savannah State (1990)
Master's degree public administration,Georgia Southern (1993)
Wife: Karen
Children: Son Jaylen
McGriff's Coaching Career
2007-present - University of Miami (defensive backs)
2007 - Kansas State (defensive backs)
2003-2006 - Baylor (cornerbacks/recruiting coordinator)
2002 - Kentucky (cornerbacks)
2001 - Kentucky (running backs)
2000 - Eastern Kentucky (secondary)
1995-1999 - Kentucky State (asst. head coach, defensive coordinator, secondary)
1993-1994 - Savannah State (defensive coordinator)
1991-1992 - Savannah State (secondary)
1990 - Savannah State (graduate assistant)
Bowl Games as a Coach (3)
2009 Champs Sports Bowl
2008 Emerald Bowl
1997 Pioneer Bowl
Coaching Accomplishments
• 1998 American Football Coaches Association Division II Assistant Coach of the Year
• His 1997 pass defense at Eastern Kentucky led Division II, and in 1995 the school led the nation in total defense
• Served a training camp internship with the New England Patriots in 2001
Honors as a Player
• Starter at outside linebacker for three seasons at Savannah State
• Named Conference's Male Academic Athlete of the Year in 1989
Prominent Players Coached
• Kenny Phillips (Miami) - New York Giants
• Artose Pinner (Kentucky) - Detroit Lions
• Cletius Hunt (Kentucky State) - Green Bay Packers
• Devin Wyann (Kentucky State) - New England Patriots
• Michael Mason (Kentucky State) - San Francisco 49ers
• Jason Smith (Baylor) - St. Louis Rams
