Wabash College has hired Jeff Ramsey as defensive coordinator for the Little Giants' football team.
 
Ramsey comes to Wabash after spending two seasons at the University of Puget Sound as defensive coordinator. He served as head coach at Oberlin College from 1999-2013. Ramsey begins both his coaching and secondary duties at the College February 4. Ramsey replaces BJ Hammer '01, who was named head football coach at Allegheny College on January 4.
 
"We are excited to add Jeff Ramsey to the Wabash College football coaching staff," Little Giants head coach Erik Raeburn said. "Jeff brings tremendous experience to our program as a head coach for 15 years and as a successful defensive coordinator. He is also familiar with the North Coast Athletic Conference. He knows the teams and the coaches. There will not be as great a learning curve for him jumping into this position as there might have been if we hired someone from outside our league."
 
"I'm thrilled to be able to go to a school that stresses academic excellence as Wabash does and to join a football program that strives to match that level of success on the field," Ramsey said. "The opportunity to work with Erik Raeburn and the football staff at Wabash College is exciting in the affect it will have on me as a coach. The great success Erik has instilled with the Wabash football program is something every coach aspires to work with."
 
Ramsey helped the Puget Sound team become one of the top-three defenses in the Northwest Conference while earning its highest win total in league games in school history last season with a 5-2 mark. The Loggers ranked 12th in Division III in red zone defense and were among the top-50 teams in the nation in third- and fourth-down conversions in 2015.
 
He spent 15 seasons at Oberlin, producing the second-most wins by head football coach in school history (42). Twice he led the Yeomen to 5-2 NCAC records, the best mark ever for the Yeomen. Oberlin set more than 300 school records during Ramsey's time as head coach, as well as two NCAC marks. Ninety-six players earned all-conference awards, nine were selected to all-region teams, and seven receive all-American recognition. Ramsey coached two NCAC Newcomers of the Year and two NCAC Players of the Year.
 
Prior to his stint at Oberlin, Ramsey spent two years at Sonoma State University as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. He served as wide receiver and tight ends coach at the University of Nevada from 1989-1992, during which time the Wolf Pack earned a pair of NCAA I-AA playoff appearances and were ranked number one in final I-AA poll in 1991 and number two in 1990.
 
Ramsey coached defensive backs at Division III Marietta College in 1988 after serving as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Illinois for two seasons. He earned a master's degree in kinesiology and athletics administration from Illinois in 1988 after graduating from the University of California, Davis in 1983. He was a starting wide receiver and backup quarterback for two seasons at UC Davis, helping the Aggies win conference titles in 1980 and 1981.
 
Ramsey takes over a Wabash defense that tied for first in Division III in defensive touchdowns scored and turnovers gained, and ranked in the top-ten in total defense (fifth), rushing defense (fourth), scoring defense (sixth), sacks (seventh), and tackles for losses (eighth). The Little Giants finished 12-1 in 2015, captured their seventh NCAC title, and advanced to the third round of the NCAA DIII football playoffs.
 
"I know I have some big shoes to fill," Ramsey said. "The last two jobs I've had required overhauls on defense. The Wabash defensive players already have the skills and understanding of the fundamentals to succeed. Now we just want to fine-tune what they are already doing."