RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University head football coach Dean Hood announced today that Tony Hatmaker has been promoted to defensive coordinator.

Hatmaker has almost 20 years of experience as a collegiate football coach, including the last three seasons at Eastern Kentucky as the defensive backs coach. He has helped produce five All-OVC defensive backs in his time at EKU including two-time all-league selection Jeremy Caldwell, who finished fourth nationally with seven interceptions in 2009.

“I actually made the decision at the end of the fall season,” Hood said. “Coach Hatmaker called the entire spring and the defense looked great, just like I thought it would.

“Two thoughts went into the decision process,” Hood continued. “Number one, I felt the entire defensive staff – linebackers coach Garry Fisher, defensive line coach Jake Johnson, graduate assistant Yon Boone and student assistant Chris Cunningham – was ready to take this on. Secondly, it was time for me to remove myself from the defense to take on a total view of the program.”

Hood had served as defensive coordinator since taking over the EKU head coaching position in 2008.

Hatmaker, a native of Hodgenville, Ky., began his coaching career in 1992 at Union (Ky.) College after playing four years as an outside linebacker for the Bulldogs. He was the defensive coordinator at Southwest Baptist University from 1999-03 and assistant head football coach at Southeastern Louisiana from 2005-06.

Hatmaker will retain his duties as defensive backs coach in 2011. The Colonels return seven of 11 defensive starters this fall from a unit that ranked second in the OVC in scoring defense one year ago.

Eastern Kentucky kicks off the 2011 season at Kansas State on Saturday, Sept. 3.

TRANSACTIONS
Eastern Kentucky University – Announced the promotion of Tony Hatmaker to defensive coordinator of the football team.