Miami University Football Camps PETE REKSTIS Deffensive Coordinator/Deffensive Backs
No stranger to the Mid-American Conference, Pete Rekstis became Miami's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach on Jan. 13. He previously served seven seasons as defensive coordinator and safeties coach at MAC East rival Kent State. Rekstis brings with him a reputation as an outstanding defensive mind, a great motivator and a solid recruiter and developer of NFL-caliber talent. Since Rekstis took over in 2004, a pair of Golden Flash defensive backs have been selected in the NFL draft: Usama Young (Saints, 3rd Round, 2007) and Jack Williams (Broncos, 4th Round, 2008); while Abe Elam (Browns) and Daniel Muir (Colts) have gone on to find success via the free agency route. This past season, defensive lineman Roosevelt Nix became the first freshman ever to win the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year award. In 2010, Kent State ranked second in the country in tackles for loss (8.3), fifth in rushing defense (97.2), 11th in sacks (2.9) and 13th in total defense (306.7), setting a school record with 35 sacks. The Golden Flashes held two opponents to negative yards rushing. Prior to coming to Kent State, Rekstis coached the secondary at his alma mater, Youngstown State, from 1999-2003 and coordinated the Penguins' defense the last three seasons. In 1999, Youngstown State posted a record of 12-3 and advanced to the Division I-AA national championship game. In Rekstis' five years at YSU, the Penguins intercepted 74 passes, an average of nearly 15 per season. Before returning to Youngstown State, Rekstis served as defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Austin Peay from 1997-98 and as defensive coordinator at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from 1994-96. He was a four-year starter at free safety at Youngstown State from 1987-90, where he played for Tressel and helped the Penguins to a record of 32-16. A native of Cleveland, Rekstis graduated from Youngstown State in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in history. He and his wife Gina have three daughters, twins Jessica and Sara, and Natalie, and a son, Pete III (Trey). MATT EDWARDS Deffensive Ends Coach
Miami University's football program welcomes home former star Matt Edwards. He joined Head Coach Don Treadwell's coaching staff in January of 2011. He will coach RedHawk defensive ends. Edwards returns to his alma mater after eight seasons at MAC rival Kent State. He served as a graduate assistant from 2004-06, when he was elevated to defensive line coach. While with the Golden Flashes, Edwards worked under the direction of Miami defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis. In 2010, Edwards tutored Roosevelt Nix, who was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year, MAC Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-America choice. Three other Kent State players earned All-MAC honors under Edward's watch -- Danny Muir (now a starter for the Indianapolis Colts), Colin Ferrell (also with the Colts) and Monte Simmons. The Golden Flash defense set a new single-season school record for sacks in 2010. Edwards began his coaching career in 2003 as the linebackers coach at the College of Wooster. As a player, the West Chester native started at linebacker as a true freshman, helping Randy Walker's squad to a 10-1 record and a win over 13th-ranked North Carolina. After a string of injuries, he moved to defensive end, where he posted the third-best single season sack total (team-high 10) in 2002. He also served as a team captain as a senior. Edwards earned his bachelor's degree in sport organization in December, 2002. He and his wife, Mary, have a son, Andrew, and are expecting another child in May. JAY PETERSON Linebackers Coach
Jay Peterson returns to Miami for his second term on the coaching staff, assuming the role of linebackers coach on Jan. 15. He held the same position from 1991-98 under the late Randy Walker. The Hopedale, Ohio, native has 26 years of coaching experience at the professional, collegiate and high school levels. Peterson joins the RedHawks after two years at Illinois State, where he helped turn around a defensive unit that totaled just three interceptions and 11 quarterback sacks in 2008, ranking 115th of 118 teams in turnover margin (-1.36). The 2009 Redbird defense picked off 14 passes, the most since 2006, and registered 25 sacks. Much of that turnaround was due to a change in the linebacking corps, which had a pair of freshmen named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team. Prior to coming to Illinois State, Peterson spent five years at Eastern Michigan, where he served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2004-08, while also holding the title of assistant head coach during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. In five seasons, the Eagle defense improved dramatically, from a high of 469.6 yards allowed per game in 2004 to a drop of almost 100 yards in 2006, at 388.3 yards per game. Under Peterson's guidance, EMU linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw was named to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list and the 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award preliminary watch list. Holtzclaw was also named a freshman All-American in 2005 and a first-team All-MAC selection in 2007. From 1999-2003, Peterson coached at Northwestern, first overseeing the linebackers and special teams before moving to the defensive line for the last two seasons. In 2001, Northwestern's linebackers were rated among the best in the nation, with two players, Kevin Bentley and Billy Silva, both making the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. He also coached Napoleon Harris, who was a first-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2002. During his first stint at Miami, Peterson was in charge of linebackers and helped with the special teams. During that time, he coached several All-MAC linebackers, including two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year JoJuan Armour. Armour was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. Another Peterson pupil, Dustin Cohen, was named third-team All-America by The Football News, along with Armour. Peterson has also spent time coaching in the professional ranks, as he spent three summers in the NFL Minority Coaching Internship program, serving various roles with the Indianapolis Colts (1995), Detroit Lions (1997) and Chicago Bears (2001). He was also an assistant football coach at three high schools in the Cincinnati area: Cadiz (1985-87), Anderson (1988-89) and Withrow (1990) High Schools. As a player, Peterson was a standout running back, earning four varsity letters from 1980-83. His career total of 2,874 rushing yards still ranks fifth on Miami's all-time career rushing list. He served as a co-captain as a senior and was a first-team All-MAC selection in 1982, a second-team pick in 1983 and an honorable mention choice in 1981. Peterson earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1985. He and his wife, Freda, have a daughter, Jada. NICK SIATRAS DEFENSIVE TACKLES COACH
Nick Siatras enters his first year as defensive line coach at Miami, having been officially named to the staff on Jan. 15. The appointment marks the first full position assignment for the up-and-coming coach. Siatras, 29, spent the previous four seasons at Michigan State, most recently serving as a video intern. He also worked closely with linebackers coach Mike Tressel. During his first three years with the Spartans, he was a graduate assistant on the defensive side, helping defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi and defensive line coach Ted Gill. In 2006, Siatras served as a staff assistant for head coach Mark Dantonio at Cincinnati. On the field, Siatras worked with the defensive backs as well as helping with scout team duties. During the coaching transition at UC, Siatras held the title of interim defensive line coach for the Bearcats in the inaugural International Bowl, a 27-24 Bearcat victory over Western Michigan. Siatras was a student intern coach at Ohio State in 2004-05, assisting the secondary and the scout team. He began coaching at Upper Arlington High School in 2003 as an assistant working with the defensive line. The Youngstown, Ohio, native played offensive and defensive line at Campbell Memorial High School, earning first-team All-Northeast Ohio honors as a senior. He played one season (2000) at center at Youngstown State. Siatras earned a bachelor's degree in sports management from Ohio State in 2006 and a master's degree in sports administration from Michigan State two years later. He is engaged to Katie Shenoo of Chicago, Ill. 
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