Player Bio: Troy Reffett - University of New Mexico Official Athletic Site

Troy Reffett

	Position: Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks
	Birthdate: 09/07/1967
	Experience: Fifth Year

Alma Mater:
UTEP '90

Troy Reffett was promoted to defensive coordinator in February after spending the past four seasons in charge of the Lobo cornerbacks, a position he will continue to mentor.

Reffett replaces Osia Lewis, who, ironically, left for the defensive coordinator position at UTEP, Reffett's alma mater and his employer for 14 seasons from 1990 to 2003. Reffett recruits southwestern New Mexico, southeastern Texas, including the Houston metro area, Florida and the Mississippi junior colleges

UNM has arguably possessed the best corners in the conference since Reffett's arrival in 2004. Junior DeAndre Wright (32 career starts) was first team all-MWC in 2007 while fellow junior Glover Quin (22 starts) was honorable mention. Both Wright and Quin begin their senior seasons 8th all-time at New Mexico with 20 passes defended.

In 2006, Wright led UNM with 4 interceptions and was second in the MWC with 14 passes defended. Quin had 13 pass deflections and ranked third on the team with 63 tackles.

Gabriel Fulbright was a first team all-MWC pick in 2005, tying for the league lead with five interceptions. Fulbright finished his Lobo career with 14 thefts, the 3rd-highest total in school history.

The 2004 cornerback tandem was possibly one the best in school history. Senior Brandon Payne was a second team All-America selection by the Walter Camp Football Foundation after leading the nation in passes defended (23) and tying for the league lead with six interceptions. Payne also set a school record with 17 pass deflections.

Fulbright was close behind with five thefts and was named second team all-MWC for the second straight season. He also scored on a 68-yard fumble return.

Reffett came to UNM after spending 14 seasons at UTEP, including 2002 and `03 as the Miners' defensive coordinator under head coach Gary Nord. Reffett also tutored UTEP's cornerbacks and free safeties.

Reffett joined the UTEP coaching staff in 1990 as a graduate assistant. He directed the outside linebackers from 1993-96, and the defensive backs from 1997-01. The native of Cynthiana, Ky., also served as the Miners' recruiting coordinator from 1996-01.

In Reffett's first year as defensive coordinator (2002), UTEP had two players notch 100 tackles -- free safety D.J. Walker (116) and rover Tim Woodard (108). Walker led the Western Athletic Conference in stops and ranked sixth in the country in solo tackles. He closed out his career as a three-time All-WAC selection. Walker also rated second on UTEP's all-time interceptions list with 16. He was coached by Reffett all four of his years in a Miner uniform.

UTEP ranked first in the WAC and 21st in the nation in pass defense in 2001 as opponents completed a league-low 49.6 percent of their passes. It marked the first time in 30 years that UTEP held the opposition to less than 50 percent completion percentage in consecutive seasons.

The Miners ranked 19th nationally in passing efficiency defense in 2000. Crance Clemons joined Walker as an All-WAC honoree.

In 1999 Reffett turned a perceived weakness at the beginning of the season into a major strength at year's end. The Miners began the 1999 campaign with just one returning starter in the secondary (A.J. Sheppard). However, UTEP held foes to 182.8 yards passing per game, including 156.7 over the last seven games. Junior free safety Derek Walker ranked third on the team in tackles (92) and captured second team All-WAC honors, while senior cornerback Nick Salinas had 13 pass break-ups, just one shy of the school record. The Miners picked off 15 passes in 1999 - 10 by the secondary - their highest season total in 10 years.

Reffett came to UTEP in 1985 as a walk-on out of Eastwood High School in El Paso. He helped the Miners to a 10-2 record his junior year, including an Independence Bowl berth.

Reffett's career was highlighted by academic and athletic superlatives. As a junior and senior he was named a WAC Scholar Athlete and to the WAC All-Academic team, and was recognized as the team's defensive back of the year. In 1988, Reffett etched his name into the school record book with a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown versus San Diego State, the fourth-longest in school history.

Reffett tallied 145 tackles, five interceptions, 10 pass break-ups and six tackles for losses in his UTEP career. His best season was 1989 when he had 104 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass deflections as a senior.

Reffett has worked with David Terrell, who was taken in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft by Washington, as well as Michael Hicks and Clemons, free agent signees by Dallas and Detroit, respectively.

Reffett earned his bachelor's degree in Education from UTEP in 1990 and his master's degree in Education, also from UTEP, in 1992. He and his wife, Molly, have a son, Ty Christopher, and a daughter, Camille Kay.