SLIPPERY ROCK — He was asked to take on a new position and a new leadership role on an inexperienced defensive unit.

Austin Miele was up for it all.

The Mars graduate — who owns the WPIAL record of 448 yards rushing in a playoff game — produced another first at Slippery Rock University this season as a result.

Miele was named first team All-PSAC West at outside linebacker this season after being named first team all-conference at strong safety last season.

“That's definitely a first for us,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “We've never had a player get first team all-conference at two different positions in back-to-back years.

“That achievement is a rarity for the entire conference.”

At 6-foot-0, 200 pounds, Miele does not fit the prototype of a Division II collegiate outside linebacker. And he's paid for it.

“There's a lot more contact at linebacker,” Miele admitted. “Play is more physical, hitting linemen and everything, and it's beaten up my body a little bit.

“I try to use my quickness to avoid some of that, but it is the nature of the position.”

After leading the team with 90 tackles last year as a safety, Miele was approached by The Rock coaching staff last spring about switching to outside linebacker. SRU's entire front seven — many of them All-PSAC West players in their own right — were graduating.

“I wasn't reluctant to do it because the team comes first,” Miele said.

“Two things about Austin ... his unselfish approach and athletic ability ... made this move feasible,” Mihalik said. “And to be a leader on top of all that — he was the anchor among that inexperienced front seven.

“Austin Miele is the ultimate team player. He's had an outstanding year.”

Miele led The Rock in tackles again this year with 86. He had 11 tackles for loss and three interceptions, four quarterback hurries and 11 passes defensed.

Much of his success on the field came from his work off of it.

“I've been playing this game for a long time,” Miele said. “I don't try to do too much thinking out there, just react to what I see, jump up and make a play.

“I spend between eight and 10 hours a week in film study. Monday's the big day for that. I'll watch film with the coaches for three to four hours that day. Then I'll spend an hour or so a day watching film on my own.

“The different rotations of tight ends, different steps the tackles take in run blocking and pass blocking, I study all of that stuff,” Miele added.

The results are evident. Against Bloomsburg, Miele blew up a tight end screen for an eight-yard loss and stopped a screen pass for another loss of five. Both were key plays in The Rock's 28-26 state championship win.

“He blows up those kinds of plays often,” Mihalik said. “He reads and anticipates things so well.”

Miele admits to being fueled by fellow players who told him at the start of this season that there was no way he'd lead the team in tackles again.

“In terms of defense, they said the safety always goes unblocked,” Miele said. “As a linebacker, I'd be engaged with blockers too much to repeat that kind of production.

“I guess that put a bit of a chip on my shoulder.”

Miele knows his football career is nearing the end. SRU's next loss will be the last time he puts on a uniform.

His career features book-end championships. Miele played for the Mars Astros as a fifth-grader — his first year in football — and won the Midget Super Bowl.

Now, this year, he's a PSAC champion and also earned his second consecutive PSAC West championship ring.

“This is the first time since I was a little kid that I've won any type of championship,” Miele said of the PSAC title game. “I'll never forget what that felt like. Never.”

Next year, Miele will be attending school for physical therapy. His football career will be over.

His athletic career will continue.

“I've always loved soccer and I'm going to play that to stay in shape,” Miele said. “My two little brothers have an indoor team that plays in Harmarville. I've played indoor soccer during the winter, in between football, to stay in condition. Now I'll be able to devote more time to it.”

And he'll use the same formula to succeed.

“Natural ability helps,” Miele said. “Hard work and determination put you over the top.”

Here are a few notes from Mars graduate Austin Miele’s football career:• Rushed for 4,168 yards as running back at Mars High School.• Set WPIAL playoff record with 448 rushing yards against Hollidaysburg in 2010.• Third in tackles with 77 and had three interceptions as freshman at St. Francis University.• Accumulated team-leading 90 tackles, 45 solo stops, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception as a junior strong safety for Slippery Rock.• Accumulated team-leading 86 tackles, 39 solo stops, 11 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 11 pass break-ups, 4 quarterback hurries and 1 fumble recovery as senior outside linebacker for Slippery Rock.