Feb. 2, 2010

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman head football coach Bobby Lamb announced today the hiring of assistant coaches Brian Hill and Rusty Wright.

Hill will coach the Paladin defensive line while Wright will direct the squad's linebackers.

"We're very pleased to add Brian and Rusty to our staff," said Lamb in making the announcement on Tuesday. "They both possess a tremendous level of experience on the defensive side of the football, having already served as defensive coordinators, and they both come very highly recommended and were very impressive in their interviews."

Hill comes to Furman following one year at Concord (W.Va.) University, where he served as associate head coach and both defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. In 2008 Concord went 0-11 but rebounded to post a 6-5 record in 2009 following Hill's arrival. In his lone season as defensive coordinator, the Mountain Lions improved their rushing defense nearly 150 yards per game and sliced opponents' third down conversion efficiency from 45.9 percent in 2008 to 27.6 percent last fall.

Prior to his stint at Concord, he served seven years (2002-08) at Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) College as defensive line coach and football camp coordinator, adding defensive coordinator responsibilities in 2006.

Hill coached at Union (Ky.) College from 1996-01, first as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator four seasons before being named head coach in 1999.

He began his coaching career at VMI, serving as outside linebackers coach in 1993, and later spent two seasons as defensive line coach at Cumberland (Ky.) College.

He earned a B.A. degree from Glenville (W.Va.) State College in 1992 and master's in physical education from Union College in 1999.

Wright spent the 2009 campaign as defensive line coach at Gardner-Webb, and prior to that four seasons at Miami (Ohio) University, where he directed the defensive line and safeties, as well as special teams. In his first season there (2005) and again in 2007 the RedHawks won Mid-America East Division championships. The 2007 Miami squad led the MAC in scoring defense and sacks, and ranked second in total defense and pass defense.

In 2004 he coached the linebackers and served as defensive and special teams coordinator at Butler University.

Prior to that he spent seven years (1996-02) at Southern Conference member Chattanooga in various roles, including linebackers coach, offensive tackles and tight ends coach, special teams coordinator, and junior varsity head coach.

He graduated from UTC in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in sports administration.