Wally Ake, who has overseen significant climbs by the Terrapin defense in national statistical rankings since 1997, is in his fourth year as Maryland's defensive coordinator. He also is responsible for the Terps' outside linebackers.

In his three seasons leading Maryland's defensive effort, the Terps have jumped 46 spots in scoring defense, 34 spots in rushing defense and 25 spots in total defense. Last year's team recorded a pair of shutouts in a single season for the first time in nearly two decades. A pair of Terp standouts - defensive tackle Delbert Cowsette and cornerback Lewis Sanders - earned first team All-ACC honors, marking the first time since 1986 Maryland had as many as two first team All-ACC selections on the defensive side of the ball.

Maryland's inside linebackers have been among the ACC's tackle leaders both years under Ake's guidance. Last year, Marlon Moore finished second in the ACC in average tackles per game; two seasons ago, Kendall Ogle and Eric Barton finished 2-3 in the conference tackle race and went on to be drafted into the NFL.

In 1998, Maryland had the nation's 12th most-improved team in terms of total defense, according to final NCAA statistical rankings. Maryland ranked 53rd nationally in average yards allowed, a 34-position jump from the previous year. The Terps also ranked as the nation's 13th most-improved unit in points allowed and 14th most-improved team in passing defense.

Ake, who has been part of 13 bowl teams during a 20-year college coaching career, joined Vanderlinden's staff in 1997 after a three-year stint as defensive coordinator at Rice University, where he helped lead the Owls to a 7-4 record and a second-place Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division finish in 1996. In 1994, Rice's defensive unit finished among the nation's top 25 in four categories as the Owls captured a share of the Southwest Conference title. In addition to coordinating Rice's defense from 1994-96, he coached the Owls' defensive line (1996) and the inside linebackers (1994-95).

Ake previously worked in the Atlantic Coast Conference when he served as Clemson's inside linebackers coach from 1990-93. Under Ake's defensive leadership, the Tigers participated in the 1993 Peach Bowl, the 1991 Citrus Bowl and the 1990 Hall of Fame Bowl. Clemson's 1990 squad ranked first in the nation in total defense, while the 1991 team was ranked No. 1 against the rush.

Prior to his stint at Clemson, Ake spent six years on the coaching staff at University of Arkansas, where he coached the defensive line from 1984-88 and the linebackers in 1989. During his time in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks captured two consecutive Southwest Conference titles (1988-89) and played in bowl games all six seasons, including the Orange Bowl (1986) and the Cotton Bowl (1988-89).

Ake, 50, is a 1972 graduate of the College of William & Mary, the same school where he launched his college coaching career in 1979. He graduated from Falls Church (Va.) High School in 1968. He later spent five seasons on the coaching staff at Falls Church, serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 1974-77 and as head coach in '78. After starting his college coaching career at College of William & Mary in '79, he moved on to Arkansas as a graduate assistant in 1980 before serving a three-year stint (1981-83) as defensive line coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

He and his wife, Chris, have one son, Aaron.

Coaching History

1993  Peach Bowl
1991  Citrus Bowl
1990  Hall of Fame Bowl
1989  Cotton Bowl
1988  Cotton Bowl
1987  Liberty Bowl
1986  Orange Bowl
1985  Holiday Bowl
1984  Liberty Bowl
1983  Independence Bowl
1982  Hall of Fame Bowl
1980  Hall of Fame Bowl
1970  Tangerine Bowl

Wally Ake Hometown: Falls Church, Va. Last College: William & Mary Position: Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Birthdate: 08/11/1950 Year at Maryland: 4th