Defiance Welcomes Michael Starkey to Coaching Staff

DEFIANCE, OHIO – The Defiance College football team welcomes assistant coach Michael Starkey, announced Wednesday afternoon by head coach Manny Matsakis. Coach Starkey will coach the linebackers and coordinate the efforts of the defensive side of the ball.

Coach Matsakis stated, "I am genuinely excited to bring on board to our football family, Michael Starkey. Coach Starkey has impressed me from his passion for the game and his unwavering tenacity as a top-notch recruiter. Having worked among some of the finest defensive coaches in the nation, he is well prepared to create a defensive unit that our fanbase will be excited to follow in years to come."

Starkey comes to Defiance College after serving as an assistant coach at Dodge City Community College where he served as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. During the 2015 season, Starkey helped guide the team to a school-best 9-3 overall record, ranking them 11^th in the country. He was also a part of a defensive unit that ranked eighth in the country and first overall in the KJCCC.

During the 2016 campaign, Starkey helped lead the Conquistadors to a 7-4 overall record, ranking them 16^th in the country. He also mentored First Team All-American Marquis Blair, as well as First Team All-Conference linebacker Gary Johnson and Honorable Mention All-Conference linebacker Ovenson Cledanord.

The Mississippi native first worked with Coach Matsakis at Bethany College in 2013 and 2014. Coach Starkey oversaw player personnel and worked as a linebackers coach. The Swedes defensive unit improved greatly to a point where they ranked 14^th in the country in total defense and were notorious for creating turnovers and sacks.

 Starkey started his coaching career at Delta State University, serving as a graduate assistant on the defensive side of the ball, working primarily with the linebackers. He graduated from Delta State in 2010 with a Bachelor's Degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation.