Jimmy Burrow is in his third season as the Bobcats' defensive coordinator. In addition to running the defense, Burrow works directly with the safeties.

The Ohio defense improved dramatically in the second year under Burrow's tutelage. The Bobcats owned the MAC's top scoring defense (18.1), and ranked third in pass defense, fourth in rushing defense and third in total defense. Ohio cut its total number of points allowed by almost 25 percent in 2006 despite having played three extra games. The Bobcats' 40.7 percent improvement in points allowed per game was the sixth-best in the country in 2006. Ohio had five players named first- or second-team All-MAC, the most in school history.

Despite the adjustment period of switching from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3 in 2005, the first season in the new system produced Ohio's first non-special team All-American since 1968 in cornerback Dion Byrum. Byrum tied for second in the nation with six interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown. In all, he scored three defensive touchdowns on the season. Byrum joined linebacker Matt Muncy on the All-MAC First Team. Muncy led the conference with 115 tackles. It marked the first time Ohio placed two defensive players on the league's first team since 1989.

A 25-year coaching veteran at several different levels, Burrow spent two seasons in Fargo, N.D., along with current offensive coordinator Tim Albin, as defensive coordinator at North Dakota State, where his defense allowed a league-low 13.6 points and 285.0 yards per game in 2004. Two members of his defense were named first-team All-Great West Football Conference, while three earned second-team honors. The I-AA Bisons finished 2004 ranked 24th in the nation.

Burrow served as a graduate assistant coach at Nebraska for two seasons (2001-02) before moving to North Dakota State with Husker defensive coordinator Craig Bohl, who took over at the helm of the Bison program.

Before his stint at Nebraska, Burrow was head football coach at Ames High School (Iowa) for two years (1999-2000) and was an assistant coach at that same high school for four years prior to that (1995-98). Burrow also served as assistant head coach of the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League during that same six-year time period.

Burrow began his coaching career in 1981 at Washington State, where he spent one year as tight ends coach before moving to the defensive backfield for the next five. He joined the Iowa State staff as secondary coach in 1987, spending eight years in with the Cyclones. For his last season (1994), Burrow was elevated to co-defensive coordinator.

Burrow moved to the sideline after a successful playing career both at the collegiate and professional levels. He was a second-team All-Big Eight defensive back at Nebraska, prompting the Green Bay Packers to choose him in the eighth round of the 1976 draft. Burrow, an Academic All-Big Eight selection, helped the Cornhuskers to the 1975 league title.

Burrow went on to play five years in the Canadian Football League. He was a member of the Montreal Alouettes from 1977-79, helping the squad to three Grey Cup finals, including the 1977 title. He was a CFL Eastern Conference All-Star in 1978 and 1979. Burrow finished the 1980 season with the Calgary Stampeders, and played the 1981 season with the Ottawa Rough Riders.

A native of Amory, Miss., Burrow graduated with a bachelor's of science in education from Nebraska in 1976 and he earned a master's in education from Washington State in 1981.

Burrow and his wife, Robin, have one son together, Joey. Burrow also has two other sons, Jamie and Dan, both of whom played football at Nebraska.

Burrow's recruiting emphasis includes the Dayton area, junior colleges, and the states of Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. He is also responsible for the Bobcats' Canadian recruiting.