BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo head football coach Jim Hofher has announced the hiring of Miles Aldridge as defensive backfield coach.

Aldridge, who has over 25 years of collegiate coaching experience, was most recently the

Miles Aldridge

inside and outside linebackers coach for the Buffalo Bills, helping the Bills improve from 3-13 to 8-8 in one season. He replaces Clayton Carlin, who accepted a position at New Mexico State last month.

"I am absolutely thrilled to have Miles joining our staff," said Hofher. "I have known Miles for over 20 years and he brings with him tremendous experience at both the collegiate and professional levels. His recruiting background combined with his overall knowledge of defensive schemes make him a great fit for our program."

Before spending two seasons on the Bills' staff, Aldridge was the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Middle Tennessee State as that program moved up to Division I-A competition the same year as Buffalo (1999). Prior to that he was the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Southwestern Louisiana (1998-99).

Aldridge was also the defensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas, renewing acquaintances with longtime college head coach Danny Ford, for the 1996-97 seasons. The Razorbacks were 12th in the nation in rushing defense in 1996.

The Columbia, SC native has spent the most time in his coaching career at Clemson University, where he was the defensive coordinator for the Tigers from 1994-96 and served as inside linebackers coach from 1985-89 under Danny Ford. In his eight years at Clemson, the Tigers played in seven bowl games and claimed three Atlantic Coast Conference championships. His 1987 Tigers' defense ranked second in the nation in rushing defense and fifth in total defense.

Aldridge, a 1971 graduate of Gardner-Webb College in North Carolina, has also coached at South Carolina (1990-93), North Carolina State (1989-90), Duke (1983-84), Mississippi (1980-82), Tulsa (1979), Wichita State (1978) and East Tennessee State (1973-77). He began his coaching career in 1971 at Chase HS in North Carolina.

Aldridge, the father of two daughters ­ Allison and Blakely ­ resides in Williamsville with his wife Angela.