TIMKNOXDIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONSHiram, 1997Seventh SeasonTim Knox, the longest tenured member of the Bronco football staff, begins his 11th campaignin Kalamazoo. Knox is the director of football operations but has donned the whistlefor the Brown & Gold, serving as the running backs coach in 2004.In his current role, Knox handles team travel, coordinates Bronco summer camps, servesas the liaison to pro scouts and high school coaches, and assists in day-to-day operationsof the program.Knox began his association with the Broncos as a three-year graduate assistant for defense(1997-99).Knox lettered four years at cornerback at Hiram College, earning All-Ohio Athletic ConferenceSecond Team honors in 1995 and 1996 and honorable mention accolades in 1994.He was also a two-time OAC All-Academic selection in 1995 and 1996.As a Terrier he also lettered as a member of the baseball team in 1996 and 1997 and actedas a student assistant coach with the men’s basketball program for three seasons.A native of Bainbridge Township, Ohio, Knox is a 1993 graduate of Kenston High School.Knox lettered a combined eight times in football, basketball and baseball. Knox (<strong>32</strong>/DOB:4-29-75) earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Hiram and a master’s in sports administrationfrom WMU in 1999.COACHING EXPERIENCE<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong> 2005-present Director of Football Operations<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong> 2004 Running Backs<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong> 2000-03 Director of Football Operations<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong> 1997-99 Graduate Assistant2007 FOOTBALL COACHES & STAFFThe youngest of three brothers, Tim is the proud uncle of seven nieces and nephews. Heresides in Kalamazoo.2007 WESTERN MICHIGAN FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE www.wmubroncos.com29
2007 FOOTBALL COACHES & STAFFMATTLUDEMANDEFENSIVE GRADUATE ASSISTANT<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong>, 2006First SeasonMatt Ludeman turned in his cleats for a clipboard as the 2006 WMU graduate begins hisfi rst season as the Broncos’ defensive graduate assistant in 2007.Ludeman was the emotional leader of a defensive unit that led the nation in sacks per gameand interceptions. The Oak Creek, Wis., native recorded a pair of picks in the fi nal two gamesof his collegiate career. His fi rst came on a defl ected pass against Akron (11/24/06) and hislast came in the second quarter of the International Bowl against Cincinnati (1/6/07).Making 17 starts over his career, seven at defensive end as a senior, Ludeman fi nished histime as a Bronco student-athlete with 54 total tackles (20 solo), 9.0 tackles for loss and3.0 sacks.His career high in tackles, six, came against a highly touted Bowling Green team in Octoberof 2005. Ludeman not only made half a dozen stops, but he also sacked then FalconOmar Jacobs, forcing a fumble that was recovered for a touchdown in a 45-14 victory onthe road.Ludeman (23/DOB:1-27-84) received his bachelors degree in criminal justice and sociologyfrom <strong>Western</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong> in May of 2007. He also participated in the 2007 USA Football Tournamentheld in Japan. It was an event where teams were comprised of former collegiatefootball players representing their respective countries.A.J.RICKEROFFENSIVE GRADUATE ASSISTANTMissouri, 2004Second SeasonA.J. Ricker enters his second season as the offensive graduate assistant with the <strong>Western</strong><strong>Michigan</strong> football program in 2007. Ricker assisted an offense and offensive line thatboasted a 1,000-yard rusher for the second-straight season and ranked 14th in the countryfor sacks allowed per game (1.31).Ricker completed a stellar collegiate career at the <strong>University</strong> of Missouri, where he earneda degree in agriculture, in 2003 as the center for the Tigers. He holds the school record forconsecutive starts with 47, starting 11 games in 2000 and 2001, 12 games in 2002 and acareer-high 13 contests in 2003.The Klein, Texas, native was named First-Team All-Big 12 by the coaches and the DallasMorning News in 2003, while also receiving Second-Team All-Big 12 honors from the AssociatedPress.Ricker was named Second-Team All-Big 12 by the coaches and received honorable mentionfor All-Big 12 from the AP in 2002. He was also named First-Team Academic All-Big 12during his junior campaign. His sophomore season was highlighted by being named Third-Team All-Big 12 by the coaches, receiving honorable mention for All-Big 12 from the AP andgarnering Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 honors in 2001.He signed a free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears in 2004 and was allocated to theRhein Fire in 2005 of NFL Europe where he was named the offensive team captain prior tothe season opener.COACHING EXPERIENCE<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong> 2007-present Graduate AssistantRicker (27/DOB: 3-29-80) spent the 2006 season, and part of the 2007 campaign, as amember of the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League. He saw action in 16 games,starting 10 in 2006. He made seven tackles, playing both offense and defense, and recoveredfour fumbles.COACHING EXPERIENCE<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong> 2006-present Graduate Assistant30www.wmubroncos.com2007 WESTERN MICHIGAN FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE