DALLAS (SMU) - Ronnie Vinklarek has joined the SMU football staff as the Mustangs' offensive line coach and Austin Adami has been named the new offensive graduate assistant, Head Coach Phil Bennett announced Monday, Jan. 12.

Vinklarek, 45, arrives at SMU after spending the 2003 season campaign at Middle Tennessee State, where he served as offensive line coach and tutored All-Sun Belt Conference lineman Brandon Westbrook. Under his guidance, the Blue Raiders' offense was the top scoring squad in the Sun Belt, averaging over 27 points per game.

Prior to his time in Murfreesboro, Vinklarek spent two years as the offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills, where, in 2002, his offensive line paved the way for a 4,359-yard passer in Drew Bledsoe, a 1,439-yard rusher in Travis Henry and two 1,200-yard-plus receivers in Eric Moulds and Peerless Price.

Before his stint in Buffalo, Vinklarek spent the 2000 season as the defensive quality control, linebackers and special teams coach for the 13-3 Tennessee Titans.

The Flatonia, Texas, native has also served as offensive line coach at Oklahoma State (1998 & 1999), Valdosta State (1997) and Houston (1988-93) as well as with the CFL's Birmingham Barracudas (1995).

At Houston, Vinklarek helped the Cougars to the 1988 Aloha Bowl and directed an offensive line that protected Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware. Vinklarek went to Houston as a graduate assistant under former Houston Oilers and Washington Redskins head coach Jack Pardee and was promoted to full-time assistant in 1990. After helping UH to a 10-1 season mark, he was selected to coach in the 1990 Blue-Gray All-Star Game.

The 24-year coaching veteran broke into the coaching ranks as the seventh and eighth grade coach at Hill Country Middle School in 1981. From 1983 to 1984, Vinklarek was the defensive line coach for Spring Branch High School in Houston before becoming the defensive coordinator at Marble Falls (Texas) High School from 1984-86.

Vinklarek earned his bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas State in 1981 and is married to the former Marianne Britz. The couple has two sons, Trevor (7) and Trent (4).

Adami, an SMU alumnus, was an All-Conference offensive lineman on the Hilltop from 1995-1999. He ended his career by starting 33 straight games for the Ponies and was a two-time winner of the Charles H. Trigg Blocking Award. Adami spent last season serving as an assistant coach at Spring Woods High School in Houston. Adami's younger brother, Allan, will be a senior defensive tackle for SMU in 2004 and earned All-WAC honors in 2003.

Bennett also announced a reorganization of his offensive staff following the hiring. Former offensive coordinator Larry Edmondson will now coach wide receivers, Clarence James will move from receivers to running backs and Jerry Bennett will serve as tight ends and inside receivers coach as well as director of high school relations. In addition, defensive ends coach Eric Roark will now serve as recruiting coordinator along with his on-field duties.