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Lambert spent five seasons as a member of Johnson's staff, including
the last three years as the defensive coordinator. In addition to
overseeing the entire Redbird defense, Lambert also served as the
position coach for the ISU safeties. In his three seasons at
coordinator, Lambert coached the Gateway Football Conference's
Defensive Player of the Year every season, as Boomer Grigsby claimed
the honor in 2003 and 2004 and Brent Hawkins won the award last
season. In 2005, the Redbird defense ranked No. 2 in the
conference with 343.1 yards allowed per game. The 'Birds were also
first in the league in passing defense, surrendering 195.1 yards per
contest. Under Lambert, the Redbird defense improved each season,
ranking No. 4 in the league in 2004 after owning a No. 7 ranking in
2003.
"We certainly wish Ron well, and we will always appreciate the
hard work and dedication that he displayed as a member of our
coaching staff," Johnson said. "I hate to see him go, but I
understand that in this business you have to evaluate opportunities
from a lot of different perspectives, and we will support him in
this move."
[to top of second column]
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 Prior to working with the Redbirds, Lambert served as the
secondary coach and recruiting coordinator at Eastern Illinois for
three campaigns, beginning in 1998. The 2000 Panther defense ranked
No. 9 in the nation and No. 1 in the Ohio Valley Conference against
the pass. EIU had 13 interceptions and 35 passes defended, and three
of his EIU players earned all-America honors.
Lambert began his coaching career as the secondary coach at West
Virginia Wesleyan in 1993. During that stint, two of his players
earned all-American honors in Division II while four were
all-conference picks.
In 1995, he became a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater,
Wake Forest, before taking over as defensive backs coach at Southern
Illinois in 1997.
Lambert was a four-year starter and honorable mention
all-Atlantic Coast Conference at Wake Forest (1989-92). He played on
the 1992 Independence Bowl team that defeated Oregon and was Wake's
leading tackler in the secondary three of his four seasons.
[Illinois
State University news release provided by Todd Kober, assistant
athletics director, media relations]
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