March 9. 1998

Villanova University head football coach Andy Talley, today announced the hiring of Jim Fleming as the team's defensive coordinator.

Fleming replaces Bob Shoop who resigned in February to become the defensive secondary coach at the United States Military Academy.

"Jim Fleming brings a wealth of experience to our coaching staff," said Talley. "He has been around winning programs his whole career and we are looking forward to his leadership on the defensive side of the ball."

Fleming comes to Villanova from East Carolina University, where he was an assistant from 1994-97. During his first two years at East Carolina, Fleming coached the outside linebackers before taking over as defensive backs coach from 1995-97. In his stay at East Carolina, Fleming helped lead the Pirates to consecutive Liberty Bowl appearances in both 1994 and 1995. Last season, East Carolina finished second in Conference USA in pass defense.

Prior to arriving at East Carolina, Fleming was the defensive coordinator at Brown University during the 1993 campaign. Before his short stint at Brown, Fleming was on the Boise State coaching staff where he served as an assistant from 1987-1992, including handling the defensive coordinator duties from 1989-92.

His 1991 Boise State defense led the Big Sky in all statistical categories, in addition to leading the nation in rush defense. He began his coaching career at the University of South Carolina where he was a graduate assistant receivers coach from 1985-86.

Fleming is a 1982 graduate of the University of the South, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. While at the University of the South, Fleming was a four-year letterwinner in both football and baseball.