March 4, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Tim Hundley, who served as defensive coordinator at UTEP last season, has been named secondary coach at Michigan State, Spartan third-year coach John L. Smith announced Friday, March 4. Hundley replaces Paul Haynes, who resigned Feb. 28 to become defensive backs coach at Ohio State.

The 53-year-old Hundley played a key role in UTEP's remarkable turnaround in 2004 under first-year head coach Mike Price. After posting a 2-11 mark in 2003, the Miners produced an 8-4 record last season, including seven-straight wins during one stretch, and earned a trip to the Houston Bowl (vs. Colorado). UTEP ranked among the Western Athletic Conference leaders in sacks (first with 42 for 256 yards), pass efficiency defense (second with 108.7 rating), scoring defense (second at 25.1 points per game), rushing defense (third at 154.2 yards per game) and total defense (third at 361.3 ypg.). The Miners also finished No. 22 in the NCAA in pass efficiency defense. Three UTEP players earned first-team All-WAC honors on defense, including linebackers Robert Rodriguez and Andy Avalos and cornerback Adrian Ward.

A 30-year coaching veteran, Hundley has helped develop 11 players that have pursued careers in the National Football League, including three current pros: linebacker Marquis Cooper (Tampa Bay), strong safety Michael Lewis (Philadelphia) and tight end Ryan Neufeld (Buffalo). He also has recruited six players that have gone on to earn All-America honors in college, including cornerback David Kilson (Nevada), offensive guard Andre Gurode (Colorado), strong safety Michael Lewis (Colorado), quarterback Cade McNown (UCLA), linebacker Sam Merriman (Idaho) and linebacker Jamir Miller (UCLA). In 22 seasons at the NCAA I-A level, Hundley has coached in 10 postseason games, including two Rose Bowls (1994 and 2001).

"When the position opened, I wanted to look for someone that I was acquainted with and a coach that was going to be a good fit for our staff," Smith said. "Tim Hundley was the No. 1 guy on my list. I have wanted to hire Tim for years but the timing was never right.

"He brings an abundance of knowledge to the table, having served as a defensive coordinator for 15 years. Tim will be able to help us tweak our scheme, plus he has the flexibility to coach any position on the defensive side of the ball. I'm excited to have him on board."

"John L. Smith has been a great friend for a number of years," Hundley said. "I have tremendous confidence in John L. because he's been a winner throughout his career. He's building this Michigan State football program and before long, the Spartans are going to have an opportunity to play for the big prize and I want to be a part of it.

"I've been to the Rose Bowl from the Pac-10 side twice (UCLA and Washington), so I want to earn a trip from the Big Ten side. During my coaching career, I've competed against Big Ten teams a number of times and it's always been fun. I'm coming here to help make a difference, and I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead."

He spent five years as the defensive coordinator at Washington, helping the Huskies to a combined record of 39-22 (.639) including four-straight bowl appearances from 1999-2002 (1999 Holiday, 2001 Rose, 2001 Holiday and 2002 Sun). In 2003, Hundley served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Keith Gilbertson. From 1999-2002, he tutored the outside linebackers for Rick Neuheisel.

In 2002, Washington ranked No. 11 in the NCAA in rushing defense, allowing 97.7 yards per game. In 2001, the Huskies went 8-4 and finished No. 19 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN polls. In 2000, Washington won a share of the Pac-10 title en route to an 11-1 record, including a 34-24 victory over Purdue in the 2001 Rose Bowl, and a No. 3 ranking in the final polls.

Hundley was one of four assistants to follow Neuheisel to Washington from Colorado where he coached defensive tackles from 1996-98. During his tenure, the Buffaloes compiled a combined record of 23-12 (.657), including two bowl appearances (1996 Holiday and 1998 Aloha). In 1996, Colorado won seven-straight Big 12 games on its way to a 10-2 overall record and a No. 8 national ranking. The Buffs' defense recorded 30 or more sacks in both 1996 (32 for 202 yards) and '98 (30 for 172).

Prior to his appointment at Colorado, Hundley worked for six years under Terry Donahue at UCLA (1990-95) where he coached linebackers and special teams. During his stint at UCLA, the Bruins went a combined 40-29 (.580), including three postseason berths (1991 John Hancock, 1994 Rose and 1995 Aloha Bowls) and two Top 20 finishes (1991 and '93). In 1993, UCLA (8-4) earned a share of the Pac-10 crown and a trip to the 1994 Rose Bowl (vs. Wisconsin).

He spent eight years on the coaching staff at Oregon State (1982-89), including three seasons under Joe Avezzano and five more under Dave Kragthorpe. From 1984-89, Hundley served as the Beavers' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and from 1982-83, he tutored the secondary.

His college coaching credits also include a two-year stop at Nevada (1980-81) where he first worked along side Spartan head coach John L. Smith. Hundley coached the Wolf Pack secondary while Smith acted as defensive coordinator under Chris Ault. In 1980, Nevada ranked among the national leaders in total defense and scoring defense (10.3 ppg.).

He worked for three years as an assistant coach at Idaho (1977-79), including one season under Ed Troxel and two more under Jerry Davitch. Hundley worked with the Vandal linebackers in 1977 before taking over as running backs coach in 1978, marking the only time in his career that he spent time on the offensive side of the ball. In 1979, he performed the duties of defensive coordinator, secondary coach and recruiting coordinator.

His resume includes 15 years as a defensive coordinator, including two seasons at Clackamas (Ore.) Community College.

He began his coaching career in 1974 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Western Oregon.

Hundley earned four letters as a linebacker at Western Oregon (1970-73) where he played for Coach Bill McArthur. A two-time first-team All-Evergreen Conference selection, he was named NAIA honorable mention All-American in 1973. Hundley still ranks among Western Oregon's all-time leaders (tied for third) with 290 career tackles. He produced 106 tackles in 1972, the fifth-best single-season total in school history.

Hundley earned a bachelor's degree in education from Western Oregon in 1974 and received a master's degree in education from Idaho in 1978.

He lettered in three sports - football, baseball and basketball - while attending Forest Grove (Ore.) High School.

Married to the former Pam Van Doren, Hundley and his wife have two sons: Nick, a catcher on the University of Arizona baseball team, and Jake, a senior engineering student at UCLA.