Randy Edsall, defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, has been named the new head football coach at the University, Director of Athletics Lew Perkins announced recently.

"We are thrilled to announce the hiring of one of the top coaches in the country," said Perkins.

"In talking with many different people during this search process, there was one name that always came up and that was Randy Edsall. He brings a great background at the Division I-A collegiate level and his success in the NFL is also well documented. We think he is a perfect fit for the University of Connecticut and the football program."

Edsall, 40, brings 19 years of coaching experience to the Husky program, including 16 seasons at the Division I-A collegiate level and three seasons in the National Football League. Edsall recently completed his first season as defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, where he helped the No. 9 nationally-ranked Yellow Jackets complete a 10-2 campaign and earn a win in the Gator Bowl on January 1 over Notre Dame. Georgia Tech finished 7-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and earned a share of the league championship with Florida State.

"It is with great pleasure that I accept the head coaching position at the University of Connecticut," said Edsall. "I look forward to the challenges that are ahead of us and the opportunity to work with the many great people that make up the university community.

"The support of the staff, student-athletes and the people of the state of Connecticut has had a big part in the well-documented success of the university and its athletic programs," he added. "I am anxious to get started and continue building upon the foundation this football program has had put in place over the past several seasons."

Prior to joining the staff at Georgia Tech, Edsall spent three seasons as the secondary coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League.

During those three seasons, Edsall was a part of one of the most successful expansion franchises in the history of the NFL. The Jaguars reached the playoffs in 1996 and 1997, including a berth in the AFC Championship Game in 1996.

Edsall began his coaching career in 1980 at his alma mater, Syracuse University. A former quarterback for the Orangemen, Edsall started as a graduate assistant from 1980-1982. In 1983, he was named running backs coach.

He coached the Syracuse defensive backs from 1987-1990 and during that period the Orangemen were ranked among the Division I-A leaders in pass defense.

In 1991, Edsall moved to Boston College and joined the staff of Tom Coughlin. He coached the Eagle defensive backs for three seasons and had his secondary ranked among the top 20 in pass defense in two of those three seasons.

He then moved with Coughlin to the NFL in 1994.

Edsall is a native of York, Pa. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's in health and physical education from Syracuse University.