Tim Kish Named Defensive Coordinator for Ohio Football
Former Illini Coordinator to Work with Bobcat Defense

Contact: Heather Czeczok, (740) 593-1299 or sports.media@ohio.edu

ATHENS, Ohio (January 12, 2001) -- Ohio head football coach, Brian Knorr, recently named Tim Kish as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Kish joins the Bobcat program after holding a similar position at Illinois since 1997.

"Tim brings some tremendous experience to our staff," explained Knorr. "He has been a part of a number of successful defensive units at Northwestern and Illinois and has coached teams to nine bowl appearances in his career. He will bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our defense and, as a central Ohio native, he has vast recruiting experience in the state of Ohio."

Kish served the Fighting Illini as defensive coordinator and linebackers' coach for the past four seasons. Last year, his defense featured a pair of 100-tackle performers, including the first-team Big Ten pick who led the league in sacks and tackles for loss and two honorable mention All-Big Ten players. The defense had its most representation on the conference teams since 1995 when three players earned All-Big Ten honorable mention selections in 1999. That 1999 squad held four opponents to 20 points or less, including victories over Ohio State and Northwestern, en route to an 8-4 record and a Micronpc.com Bowl appearance.

Prior to Illinois, Kish served as outside linebackers' coach at Northwestern from 1992-96. He helped the Wildcats to two Big Ten Conference titles and consecutive bowl appearances in the Rose and Florida Citrus New Year's Day games.

Kish joined the Wildcats after spending eight years at Army, coaching defensive ends and outside linebackers. The Cadets made appearances in three bowl games during his tenure. He coached quarterbacks and the defensive line at Ball State during the 1982 and 1983 seasons. During the 1979-81 seasons, Kish worked with the defensive secondary at Purdue as the Boilermakers made three-straight bowl appearances.

Kish, 46, earned a bachelor's degree in education from Otterbein College in 1976. He was a three-year letterwinner as a defensive back for the Cardinals, while also lettering in basketball. He spent two years at Mariemont High School in Cincinnati before earning his master's degree in education from Bowling Green in 1978. At BGSU, Kish spent one season as a graduate assistant coach.

Kish and his wife, Angela, have three children, daughters Megan and Emily and a son Michael.