Brian George’s leadership as the Rockets’ defensive coordinator has been instrumental in mentoring a Rocket defense that has been among the best in the Mid-American Conference over the past three seasons.
Under George’s guidance in 2016, the Rockets ranked fourth in the MAC in scoring defense (25.7) en route to a 9-4 record and a berth in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl. Toledo led the MAC in third-down conversions (34.7%), which ranked 23rd nationally.
George coached four All-MAC defensive players in 2016— senior defensive end John Stepec (first-team), senior defensive tackle Treyvon Hester (second-team), senior safety DeJuan Rogers (second-team) and junior linebacker Ja’Wuan Woodley (third-team). Hester was invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game and was later selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.
Toledo’s defense was a vital part of its 2017 MAC Championship squad. The Rockets held MAC opponents to 21 points or fewer in six of their seven league victories. In the MAC Championship Game victory over Akron, the Rocket D kept the East Division champion Zips off the board until 30 seconds remained in the third quarter, helping UT build an insurmountable 38-0 lead.
The Rockets ranked second in the MAC in passing efficiency defense and were third with 15 interceptions in 2017. Junior defensive end Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, a second-team All-MAC selection, was third in the conference with 20.0 tackles for loss. Adeniyi (Pittsburgh) and cornerback Trevon Mathis (Minnesota) were both signed as NFL free agents in 2018.
In 2018, the Rockets ranked first in the MAC in third-down conversion, and second in sacks and tackles for loss as the Rockets earned bowl eligibility for the ninth consecutive year. Following the season, cornerback Ka’dar Hollman was drafted in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers.
Prior to joining the Rockets, George was an assistant at Kent State from 2011-15, serving the last three seasons as the Golden Flashes’ defensive coordinator. He coached the defensive line in all of his five seasons at KSU.
In 2015, Kent State ranked third in the Mid-American Conference in total defense and fifth in scoring defense. Four of KSU’s five All-MAC players came from the defensive side of the ball, including junior safety Nate Holley, a two-time first-teamer who finished fourth in the nation with 11.8 tackles per game. In 2014, Holley was named first-team All-MAC and ranked third in the nation in tackles.
In George’s first season as defensive coordinator in 2013, three Golden Flashes were named to the All-MAC team on defense. Roosevelt Nix earned first-team All-MAC honors and claimed a spot on the SI.com All-America team. During Kent State’s 2012 MAC East title run, two defensive linemen (Nix and Jake Dooley) earned all-conference honors.
Under George’s guidance in 2011, Nix was a first-team All-MAC selection after leading the team with 17 tackles for loss. In conference-only games in 2011, the Golden Flashes topped the MAC in total defense, red-zone defense and pass-efficiency defense.
Prior to his stint at Kent State, George spent six seasons as the co-defensive coordinator at Indiana. He mentored the defensive tackles from 2009-10 after serving as the defensive line coach from 2005-08.
During his time at IU, the defensive line set the school record with 42 sacks in 2007. George also had two consecutive Hendricks Award finalists in Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton. Middleton was the nation’s leader in sacks in 2007 with 16, and Kirlew had a record-setting year in 2008 with 10.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. George also coached second-team All-Big Ten defensive end Victor Adeyanju in 2005, who was selected in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. George also had a young tackle who was recognized for his accomplishments, as Larry Black Jr. was on the Sporting News Freshman All-American Team and earned All-Big Ten honors in 2009.
Prior to his post at Indiana, George was the co-defensive coordinator at Miami (Ohio) University in 2004, helping the squad reach the MAC Championship Game and Independence Bowl. He was also Miami’s defensive line coach from 2001-03. In 2003, the RedHawks won the MAC Championship and the GMAC Bowl and finished the season ranked 10th in the country by the Associated Press.
George started and lettered four years as a fullback at Ohio University. He was named Ohio’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in his senior season. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in special education in 1994, George taught and coached running backs at Pickerington (Ohio) High School for three years before joining Miami’s football program in 1998.
George is a 1990 graduate of Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio. George and his wife Jasa have a son, A.J., and a daughter, Maren.
Brian George’s Coaching Experience
2019 Toledo – Defensive Coordinator
2016-18 Toledo – Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2013-15 Kent State - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2011-12 Kent State - Defensive Line
2005-10 Indiana - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2004 Miami (Ohio) – Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line
2001-03 Miami (Ohio) – Defensive Line
1998-2000 Miami (Ohio) – Graduate Assistant
