Maurice Linguist joined the staff at UB in 2012 following a stay at James Madison, where he has spent the previous three seasons, and had a outstanding playing career at Baylor University.

In his first season at Buffalo, UB’s starting cornerbacks, Najja Johnson and Cortney Lester, ranked first and second in the MAC in interceptions. Johnson had five and Lester had four. UB led the MAC in opponent pass completion percentage (55.4%) and ranked second in the conference in pass defense. In additon, the Bulls ranked fourth in the MAC and 48th nationally in pass efficiency defense - a 53-slot improvement from 2011.

Linguist spent three years at James Madison, coaching the safeties, and helped the Dukes to an 8-4 regular season record this past fall and an NCAA playoff appearance. In addition, The Sports Network selected the James Madison 2012 recruiting class as the best in the nation in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Prior to James Madison, Linguist served as defensive backs and special teams coach at Valdosta (Ga.) State, helping the program to a 9-3 record and a ranking of No. 12 in Division II in 2008. 

Linguist began his coaching career at his alma mater of Baylor, coaching strong safeties and rover backs as a graduate assistant in 2007. As a senior at Baylor, he was the Bears’ defensive most valuable player as a strong safety, an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection and a second-team conference all-academic honoree. He played in 42 games, starting 24 at Baylor and was a four-year letterwinner for the Bears. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and a masters degree in sports management from Baylor.

He enjoys reading books on history and leaders. He thinks that the University at Buffalo offers "me an opportunity to work with some of the most respected coached in our profession and offers others an opportunity to compete and develop themselves, socially, physically, spiritually and intellectually."