The John Carroll football team has found the new face of its defense, hiring Chris Shula to be the team's defensive coordinator for the 2014 season.

Shula comes to John Carroll after spending the last three years on the defensive staff at Indiana University, working primarily with the Hoosiers defensive backfield. Before moving to Bloomington, he spent the 2010 season with Ball State, assisting with linebackers.

"Chris is a phenomenal addition to our staff and we are very excited to welcome him to John Carroll University" said John Carroll University head coach Tom Arth. "He is an excellent football coach with the passion and knowledge to inspire our defense to play at the highest level. Chris embraces the mission of John Carroll University and will serve as an outstanding role model for our student-athletes."

As a three-year letterwinner for the Miami (OH) University Redhawks football team, Shula started a game at each linebacker position and on each special teams unit over the course of his playing career. He was a member of three Mid-American Conference East Division championship teams in 2004, 2005, and 2007. He also earned recognition on the 2009 National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American team for his work.

A 2008 graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Sport Studies, Shula earned his Master's degree in Education at the University of Oklahoma in 2010. He was a Dean's List student and carried a 4.0 grade point average while working toward his degree.

While at Oklahoma, Shula earned valuable experience working with both Athletics Compliance and Athletics Development.

Among the many football camps Shula worked at included those conducted by Indiana University, Ball State University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Alabama.

"I am honored to be part of the John Carroll University family," said Shula. "I want to thank coach Tom Arth and (Director of Athletics) Laurie Massa for bringing me aboard. I am impressed with the staff, the players, the facilities and the tradition here at John Carroll, and I cannot wait to be a part of this outstanding program."

Shula is the son of Dave Shula, former head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals (1992-96) and grandson of Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history and a 1951 John Carroll graduate.