Michael Slater was named defensive line coach at Arizona State University on February 15, 2017.
Slater arrived at ASU from Kansas where he served as defensive line coach in 2016. Under Slater’s tutelage, the Jayhawk defensive line helped Kansas’ defense top the Big 12 Conference in pass defense (219.8 yards per game) and lowest opponent third-down conversion percentage (35.6). Slater coached defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., who, as a sophomore, became the first unanimous all-Big-12 Conference selection in KU Football history.
Slater joined the KU program after four-year stint as defensive line coach at Rice. In his time with the Owls, Slater saw his defensive front become a disruptive force that was instrumental in the Owls newfound success.
In April 2015, Slater saw Christian Covington selected by the Houston Texans, becoming the third Owls defensive line product to be drafted in his combined tenure on the Owls’ staff. As a graduate assistant at Rice from 2008-10, Slater mentored future pros Cheta Ozougwu and Scott Solomon. In addition, 2014 Rice senior Zach Patt earned an invitation to the Arizona Cardinals rookie camp.
In 2014 Rice set a school record with 39 sacks, and Patt set a single-game mark with five vs. FIU. In his four seasons at the helm of the Rice defensive front, Slater’s group combined for 84 of the Owls 103 sacks, forced 28 fumbles and recovered 18.
In his first stint with the Owls, Slater earned a Master’s of Liberal Studies degree during his three-year tenure while working with the defensive line. After his graduation in the spring of 2011, Slater spent one season as the defensive line coach at Angelo State before returning to Rice.
Slater coached at the high school level in the Houston area for 12 years, first at Alief Hastings for five seasons, before moving on to Alief Taylor for seven years. He coached the defensive line and also coordinated special teams. As the defensive line coach at Taylor, he coached future Rice player and Chicago Bear Cheta Ozougwu.
Slater, who has one son, Kyle, began his coaching career while attending Southwest Texas State (now Texas State), where he served as a student assistant coach in 1993 before graduating with a degree in agriculture/animal science.
SLATER AT A GLANCE
Alma Mater: Texas State, 1993
Children: Kyle
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Present, Arizona State (Defensive Line Coach)
2016, Kansas (Defensive Line Coach)
2012-15, Rice (Defensive Line Coach)
2011, Angelo State (Defensive Line Coach)
2008-10, Rice (Graduate Assistant, Defensive Line)
2001-2007, Alief Taylor High School, Houston, TX. (Defensive Line Coach)
1996-2000, Alief Hastings High School, Houston, TX. (Defensive Line Coach, Special Teams Coordinator)
Slater arrived at ASU from Kansas where he served as defensive line coach in 2016. Under Slater’s tutelage, the Jayhawk defensive line helped Kansas’ defense top the Big 12 Conference in pass defense (219.8 yards per game) and lowest opponent third-down conversion percentage (35.6). Slater coached defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., who, as a sophomore, became the first unanimous all-Big-12 Conference selection in KU Football history.
Slater joined the KU program after four-year stint as defensive line coach at Rice. In his time with the Owls, Slater saw his defensive front become a disruptive force that was instrumental in the Owls newfound success.
In April 2015, Slater saw Christian Covington selected by the Houston Texans, becoming the third Owls defensive line product to be drafted in his combined tenure on the Owls’ staff. As a graduate assistant at Rice from 2008-10, Slater mentored future pros Cheta Ozougwu and Scott Solomon. In addition, 2014 Rice senior Zach Patt earned an invitation to the Arizona Cardinals rookie camp.
In 2014 Rice set a school record with 39 sacks, and Patt set a single-game mark with five vs. FIU. In his four seasons at the helm of the Rice defensive front, Slater’s group combined for 84 of the Owls 103 sacks, forced 28 fumbles and recovered 18.
In his first stint with the Owls, Slater earned a Master’s of Liberal Studies degree during his three-year tenure while working with the defensive line. After his graduation in the spring of 2011, Slater spent one season as the defensive line coach at Angelo State before returning to Rice.
Slater coached at the high school level in the Houston area for 12 years, first at Alief Hastings for five seasons, before moving on to Alief Taylor for seven years. He coached the defensive line and also coordinated special teams. As the defensive line coach at Taylor, he coached future Rice player and Chicago Bear Cheta Ozougwu.
Slater, who has one son, Kyle, began his coaching career while attending Southwest Texas State (now Texas State), where he served as a student assistant coach in 1993 before graduating with a degree in agriculture/animal science.
SLATER AT A GLANCE
Alma Mater: Texas State, 1993
Children: Kyle
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Present, Arizona State (Defensive Line Coach)
2016, Kansas (Defensive Line Coach)
2012-15, Rice (Defensive Line Coach)
2011, Angelo State (Defensive Line Coach)
2008-10, Rice (Graduate Assistant, Defensive Line)
2001-2007, Alief Taylor High School, Houston, TX. (Defensive Line Coach)
1996-2000, Alief Hastings High School, Houston, TX. (Defensive Line Coach, Special Teams Coordinator)