In 2011, Ryan Crawford begins his fourth season at the University of Rhode Island. Over the offseason, Crawford was promoted to defensive coordinator. He will also continue to coach the secondary.
Last season, the URI secondary ranked sixth in the league in interceptions with 11. Four of those interceptions came from Jarrod Williams, who concluded his URI career in 2010 by earning a spot on the CAA Football All-League Third Team. Under the guidence of Crawford, Williams finished his URI career with nine interceptions which ranks ninrh on the URI all-time career list.
During the 2009 season, Crawford's secondary unit accounted for 11 interceptions. In the first five games of that year, the Rhody secondary picked off seven passes, including a season-high three against in-state rival Brown. In 2008, Crawford's secondary scheme picked off at least one pass in five of Rhody's first seven games. It also held Boston College to a season-low 27 yards passing (Sept. 27).
Crawford came to URI after spending three seasons at Bucknell University, a member of the Patriot League. In 2007, the Bison tied NCAA-tournament participants Fordham and Colgate for the league lead with 14 interceptions and finished second in turnover margin (+2). One year earlier, Crawford was instrumental in cornerback Matt Palermo's successful switch from safety to cornerback, which culminated in his All-Patriot League Second Team selection. That year, he also coached Academic All-American David Frisbey.
Prior to his arrival at Bucknell, Crawford spent two seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Davidson. He coached the Wildcats' quarterbacks in 2003 before switching to the defensive side of the ball in 2004 to coach the defensive backs.
A 2001 graduate of Davidson with a degree in biology, Crawford earned Associated Press First Team I-AA All-America honors in 1999, when he led all of Division I-AA with eight interceptions. Consequently, Davidson finished the year leading the nation with 28 picks. The following season, Crawford was the I-AA Mid-Major Defensive Back of the Year as well as the I-AA Independent Defensive MVP. In 2000, he was named Davidson's Special Teams Player of the Year as well as the school's Male Athlete of the Year.
A native of Newton, N.C., Crawford went on to play semi-pro football for the Carolina Cowboys. He later played professionally with the Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League, and spent the summer of 2007 in camp with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He has also worked as a stuntman and a featured extra in the Sony Pictures movie 'Radio,' starring Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Updated Sept. 22, 2011
