Veteran served as defensive coordinator the last two seasons at Houston
Maryland football coach Randy Edsall made it official on Tuesday, announcing the hire of Brian Stewart as defensive coordinator. Stewart will install a 3-4 defense and also coach defensive backs.
Stewart succeeds Todd Bradford, who lasted one season in College Park. Earlier this month Bradford agreed to a buyout of his contract, which had two years remaining. Out of 120 FBS teams, Maryland ranked No. 108 in total defense (457.2 yards per game), using a 4-3 set, in going 2-10 last year.
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Stewart, 47, was the defensive coordinator the last two years at Houston. He helped the Cougars to a 13-1 record in 2011. Stewart grew up in West Covina, Calif. and played defensive back at Northern Arizona. His coaching career includes assistant stints at four NFL teams and six colleges, including Missouri and Syracuse.
“I’m excited to join Randy’s staff,” Stewart said in a statement. “I admired what he did at UConn and saw the beginning of that transformation while I was at Syracuse. We’ve taken similar career paths as secondary coaches and then coordinators. It will be an exciting new challenge implementing our defense in the ACC.”
Houston was known for its prolific offense last year, but Stewart’s aggressive, gambling unit played a major role as well, ranking No. 2 in the FBS red-zone defense (67 percent) and No. 6 in tackles for loss (7.7 per game), and tying for No. 3 in interceptions (21).
In his second of two seasons as defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys (2007-08), Stewart guided a unit that led the NFL in sacks (59).
“I’m very pleased to have Brian come on board,” Edsall said. “He is a proven defensive coordinator at both the collegiate and professional level. All of his experience will help us move forward as we look for him to implement his aggressive style.”
Moving to the 3-4 won’t be completely foreign to Maryland. The Terps used it on occasion last year, especially when facing pass-oriented teams such as West Virginia.
Maryland finished the year with an embarrassing 56-41 loss at North Carolina State in which the Terps blew a 27-point third-quarter lead, surrendering 42 straight points.
The Maryland defense was decimated by injuries, but many young players received valuable playing time. Sixteen players with starting experience are expected to return, including All-ACC tackle Joe Vellano and 2010 All-ACC safety Kenny Tate, who missed most of last year with than injury.
