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Rondeau hired as defensive back coach


UT Martin head football coach Matt Griffin put the finishing touches on his coaching staff this past week when he named North Dakota State defensive back coach Andy Rondeau as the Skyhawks' new defensive coordinator.

Rondeau, who will turn 34 Feb. 14, served as an assistant coach at North Dakota State for the past six years. Before joining Bison head coach Bob Babich's staff, Rondeau served as a graduate assistant at Pittsburgh and as an assistant coach at Northeastern University from 1991-93.

Rondeau played high school football at Holliston (Mass.) and was a student assistant coach at Syracuse University where he earned his bachelor's degree in English in 1991.

Like others on his staff, Griffin has known Rondeau since he was at Northeastern.

“Andy's intensity as a coach is really going to help our defense,” Griffin said. “He's a pressure guy and I think we need that, and we have to do that in the Ohio Valley Conference to be successful.”

“More importantly, aside from the great character Andy brings to our staff, he's a wonderful coach, he's a smart guy, and he's one of the best guys I've gone against as a coach,” Griffin said. “We are fortunate to have him on our staff. Our kids are going to love him.”

Rondeau, who was in Martin this past weekend, said he was excited about his new job.

“It's extremely flattering to have the opportunity to come here, and it's a great opportunity,” he said.

“It's awfully exciting to start something new like this, and to be with a guy that I've known as long as I've known ‘Griff.’ It's an exciting time.”

Rondeau plans to rebuild the Skyhawks’ defense with fundamentals first.

“We want to be fundamentally sound. I don't know exactly what we'll be at scheme wise. I don't know who will be where, that stuff will shake out in time,” Rondeau said.

“As long as we are fundamentally sound, as long as we fly to the football, as long as we learn to tackle and to beat blocks, that is what we want to start with.”