BALTIMORE, MD – Dan Wodicka, who was recently named the James F. Margraff Head Coach of Football at Johns Hopkins, announced the promotion of BJ Hill to defensive coordinator and appointed defensive line coach Rio Byrd as the program's recruiting coordinator today.
Hill will be entering his third season on the Johns Hopkins coaching staff in 2024 and will continue to coach the Blue Jay defensive backs in his role as the defensive coordinator. Byrd, who recently completed his first season at Johns Hopkins, adds recruiting coordinator responsibilities to his role as the Blue Jay defensive line coach.
Hill arrived at Johns Hopkins prior to the 2022 season and has helped the Blue Jays to a 22-2 record, one Centennial Conference title (2023), a trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals (2023) and one Centennial-MAC Bowl victory (2022).
In two seasons, Hill has guided a secondary that has allowed an average of less than 195 yards per game through the air and opposing quarterbacks have completed less than 50 percent of their pass attempts against the Blue Jays during that time. Johns Hopkins also counts 30 interceptions to its credit since Hill arrived and he has coached one All-American, one Academic All-American and four All-Centennial Conference performers.
During a 2023 season that saw Johns Hopkins post a 12-1 record and advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals, the Blue Jays' 13 opponents completed just 47.2 percent of their pass attempts; that mark ranks as the best for the Johns Hopkins defense since 2003 and the third best mark this century.
Byrd made an immediate impact in his first season at Homewood, helping the Blue Jays to the aforementioned 12-1 record, Centennial Conference title and trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals while leading one of the top defensive lines in the nation. He coached one All-American, one Academic All-American, three Academic All-District selections and three of his players earned All-Centennial Conference honors.
Spearheaded by Byrd's defensive line, the Blue Jays allowed just 128.9 yards per game on the ground and the unit rang up 39 sacks on the year; Johns Hopkins tied for 23rd in the nation with its 3.0 sacks per game during the 2023 season and the 39 sacks are tied for the third most for the Blue Jays since 2001.
Byrd helped lead Johns Hopkins' recruiting efforts for an incoming freshman class that will include 21 players from 10 different states.
Johns Hopkins is scheduled to open the 2024 season, its first under Wodicka, on September 7 when the Blue Jays travel to Ithaca.
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