2010-11: Mike Pelton is Vanderbilt[apos]s newest coach, getting tabbed as the team[apos]s defensive ends coach in March. He replaces former linebacker mentor Warren Belin, who left to accept another collegiate post.
Pelton, 38, arrived on campus to work with the defensive line during the Commodore spring drills.
A native of Alabama, Pelton[apos]s most recent stint in college football – a two-year tenure as defensive line coach at Iowa State – ended in 2008 when Iowa State head coach Gene Chizic accepted the Auburn position.
[quote]I believe Mike is going to be a fantastic addition to our defensive staff. He demonstrated that in spring practice,[quote] former head coach Bobby Johnson said. [quote]Mike has shown impressive knowledge and has worked effectively with staff members previously. He[apos]s going to be a tremendous asset.[quote]
Pelton and current Commodore line coach Rick Logo worked together as defensive assistants at Troy, sharing defensive line responsibilities under Larry Blakeney. In 2005, Logo[apos]s final year on the Troy staff, Pelton and Logo were co-defensive coordinators for the Trojans.
At Iowa State, Pelton[apos]s defensive lines were an area of strong improvement during the Chizic Era. Pelton mentored a pair of second team All-Big 12 selections at Iowa State: nose guard Ahtyba Rubin and defensive end Kurtis Taylor. Rubin just finished his second year as a starter for the Cleveland Browns after being selected in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Pelton went to Chizic[apos]s staff at Iowa State after serving six years on the staff at Troy, including the final two years at co-defensive coordinator.
The Troy defense was consistently among the nation[apos]s leaders in several categories. In 2002, the Trojans ranked fourth nationally, allowing just 277 total yards per game. In 2004, the Trojans ranked 16th in total defense.
Together, Pelton and Logo worked with two of the finest defensive linemen in Troy history, Demarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora. Ware just finished his fifth year as an All-Pro linebacker with Dallas. Umenyiora is a two-time Pro Bowl defensive end for the New York Giants.
Prior to going to Troy, Pelton coached the defensive line at Valdosta State (Ga.) University in 2000. The Blazers posted a 10-2 record and made the NCAA Division II playoffs.
As a player, Pelton was a standout defensive tackle at Auburn, earning first team All-SEC recognition in 1994. He was also a senior co-captain.
Pelton and his wife, Staci, are the parents of three daughters: Myesa, 13; Tyra, 10; and Peyton, 6 months.