In a much-anticipated press conference on February 22, 2007, Coach Tommy West announced the hiring of Rick Kravitz as the Tigers' defensive coordinator. In addition to leading the UM defense, Kravitz will also focus primarily on the Tiger safeties. Kravitz, a 22-year coaching veteran, spent the 2006 season as the N.C. State safeties coach and special teams coordinator. In 2006, the Wolfpack ranked 13th nationally in pass defense and 36th overall in total defense. In addition, Kravitz helped direct junior kick returner Darrell Blackman, who ranked fourth in the nation in kickoff returns with an average of 28.89 yards per return. Prior to joining Chuck Amato at N.C. State, Kravitz spent 10 years at the University of South Florida (USF) as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Hired in December of 1995, Kravitz quickly developed the Bulls' defense into one of the most consistent units in college football throughout a rapid ascent into Division I-A. The defensive coordinator from the inception of USF football, Kravitz added assistant head coach to his title in 2001, the same season he switched his emphasis to the secondary after coaching the linebackers in his first four seasons. The USF defense finished 17th in the nation in 2002, 2003 and 2005 and ranked seventh against the run in 2002, allowing just 87.18 yards per game. That same year, USF led the nation in turnover margin, forcing 36 miscues, (22 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries.) In 2005, USF ranked third nationally in fumbles recovered and sixth in pass defense. The Bulls' defensive unit also ranked in the top15 in scoring defense, turnovers gained and sacks that same season. Kravitz, 53, was tabbed as one of the "top-5 toughest college assistants to replace among those who accepted new positions" after the 2005 season by senior writer Bruce Feldman of ESPN The Magazine. A college defensive coordinator since 1986, Kravitz joined USF from West Alabama, where he had been the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 1994 and 1995. He joined the staff at West Alabama after eight years as the defensive coordinator at Florida A&M where he coached six All-Americans and had 10 players drafted into the NFL. Prior to joining the college coaching ranks, Kravitz was a coach and teacher at two Pinellas County high schools from 1979-83. He first entered coaching as a defensive coordinator at Lakewood High in 1979, and then served four seasons as an assistant coach at Countryside High. A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Kravitz played at Troy State, competing as a defensive end and offensive tackle between 1974-76. He earned his bachelor's degree from Troy State in physical education in 1977 and later earned a master's degree in administration and supervision in 1987 while serving as an assistant coach at FAMU. Kravitz has a daughter, Kristin (26), and is married to the former Jo Ann Howell of Tampa, Fla. Kristin is married to Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Doug Waechter.
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