Fox named Valparaiso coach

(STATS) - Valparaiso has reached across the Pioneer Football League to pick Landon Fox as its new coach.

Athletic director Mark LaBarbera announced on Friday Fox will be the Crusaders' 18th coach, succeeding Dave Cecchini, who resigned last month to become Bucknell's coach.

Fox has spent the last 11 years as Dayton's defensive coordinator and secondary coach. During that time, the Flyers had 10 winning seasons and compiled an 86-38 record, captured three PFL championships and participated in the 2015 FCS playoffs.

"There are a lot of similarities between Valparaiso University and the University of Dayton that will help ease my adjustment to Valpo," Fox said. "They're very much alike in terms of the mission of the universities as both prioritize service and leadership. That's important because that's what we're going to teach our football team. We view football as a class for our players, and it's going to be one of their favorite classes. I look forward to teaching the game of football and helping our student-athletes develop as young men."

Fox played at Defiance College before graduating in 2000. He also has coached collegiately at Wayne State, Lakeland and as a defensive graduate assistant at Ball State.

Valparaiso finished 2-9 overall and 2-6 in the PFL last season.