Tag Archives: Coordinator

‘Hard work, don’t look at the clock’: Early role model for Eagles defensive coordinator speaks to 69 News | Lehigh Valley Regional News

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles are getting set to take on the Rams in the NFL playoffs Sunday afternoon.

Vic Fangio, Philly’s defensive coordinator, grew up in Dunmore, in Lackawanna County, about 80 miles up the turnpike from the Lehigh Valley.

He also studied coaching at East Stroudsburg University before his nearly four decades as a coach in the NFL.

Vic Fangio’s story starts and continues in Pennsylvania. Fangio commuted to East Stroudsburg University to take coaching classes and pick the brain of coaching legend Denny Douds.

“He didn’t play here, but he would stop in the office, he would talk football, he was tough-minded,” Douds said.

Fangio has been a coach in the NFL for the better part of four decades, primarily leading a team’s defense, turning the Eagles D into a powerhouse in just one season.

“Hard work, don’t look at the clock, mental toughness, common traits of him too,” said Douds.

Although it’s been four decades, Douds says Fangio still visits East Stroudsburg.

“His sister, and her husband and kids, live here in town,” said Douds. “So from time to time, he sneaks into town and visits his sister too.”

Coach Douds isn’t giving us a prediction on this weekend’s game, but he is offering this observation.

“(Fangio) is a tough out. When you play the Eagles, they’ve got a great offense. But he put together a defense that was tops in the league,” Douds said. “The one they can’t afford is the mistakes.”

In a coaching career that began in the 80’s, Fangio is still looking to win his first Super Bowl, and win it in Pennsylvania.

“Every person in their profession, about 99 percent of them want to get to the top rung. And in the NFL, getting the ring is the top rung,” Douds said. “I’m betting on Vic. And they will get some turnovers.”

And get one step closer to a championship, East Stroudsburg style.

Recently, 69 News had the opportunity to sit down with a former coach who served as an early role model for the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator. During the interview, the coach shared valuable insights on the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving success in the competitive world of professional sports.

One of the key pieces of advice that the coach imparted was to never look at the clock when putting in the work. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the task at hand and giving it your all, regardless of the time or circumstances. This mindset of relentless dedication and commitment to excellence is what has propelled the Eagles’ defensive coordinator to the top of his field.

As fans eagerly await the upcoming season, it is clear that the lessons learned from this early role model will continue to shape the mindset and work ethic of the Eagles’ coaching staff. With a strong foundation of hard work and determination, there is no doubt that the team will be well-equipped to face any challenges that come their way.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Eagles’ preparations for the upcoming season, and remember: hard work knows no bounds, so don’t let the clock dictate your success.

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Dunmore’s Vic Fangio, defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles – Scranton Times-Tribune

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Dunmore native Vic Fangio once again will lead the Philadelphia Eagles defense in an NFL playoff game Sunday as the Birds face the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs at Lincoln Financial Field.

It’s a familiar spot for Fangio, who has forged a remarkably successful coaching career that was born on the fields of Northeast Pennsylvania, a fact that is never far from his mind. When he was introduced as the Denver Broncos head coach in 2019, Fangio talked about his football upbringing and another of the area’s legendary coaches.

“I want to thank Jack Henzes, my high school coach, for his passion and excellence in football and in coaching. It is what motivated me … I caught his passion for the game and I decided from that point on that I wanted to be a football coach,” Fangio said at the time.

After leaving Dunmore following a two-year stint as the Bucks’ defensive coordinator in 1981, Fangio embarked on a coaching career that, between the collegiate and professional ranks, has lasted more than 40 years. The Eagles are his seventh stop as a defensive coordinator, and six of those franchises made the playoffs at least once with him running their defenses. Fangio has coached in one Super Bowl, reaching the big game as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens on Feb. 3, 2013, a game won by the Ravens, 34-31 at the Superdome in New Orleans.

With a win Sunday, the Eagles can take him back to a conference championship game for the first time as an on-field coach since he helped the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game during the 2013-14 season.

Here are some images from some of Fangio’s coaching stints across the NFL.

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Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos watches the action against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

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Originally Published: January 18, 2025 at 10:23 AM EST

Dunmore’s Vic Fangio, defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles – Scranton Times-Tribune

Dunmore native Vic Fangio has made a name for himself as one of the top defensive minds in the NFL. Currently serving as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Fangio has been instrumental in shaping the team’s defense into one of the most formidable units in the league.

Fangio’s journey to the NFL has been a long and successful one. After starting his coaching career at the high school level, Fangio worked his way up through the ranks, eventually landing positions with several NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Chicago Bears.

Known for his strategic acumen and attention to detail, Fangio has earned a reputation as a master tactician on the defensive side of the ball. His ability to scheme and adjust on the fly has helped the Eagles defense shut down some of the best offenses in the league.

In addition to his coaching skills, Fangio is also respected for his leadership abilities and the rapport he builds with his players. His no-nonsense approach and commitment to excellence have endeared him to both his players and fellow coaches.

As a proud native of Dunmore, Fangio continues to inspire young athletes in his hometown and beyond. His success at the highest levels of professional football serves as a testament to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance required to achieve greatness in any field.

With Fangio at the helm, the Philadelphia Eagles defense looks poised to continue its dominance in the NFL. Fans can rest assured that Dunmore’s own Vic Fangio will continue to uphold his reputation as one of the best defensive coordinators in the league.

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Chris Shula resolved to be himself as Rams defensive coordinator, and it has worked

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Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula assumed the reins this year of a unit whose two prior bosses parlayed the stint into head-coaching jobs. But Shula knew not to try to be Raheem Morris or Brendan Staley.

Asked Friday by reporters for the best advice he’s gotten in the past year, it was simple — be yourself.

“I think it was in OTAs because we were back at the [California Lutheran University] building,” Shula said. “Jason Garrett was just there watching and hanging out and he stopped me in the hallway and just said, ‘Hey, Sean [McVay] hired you to be you. Don’t try to be anybody else and be the best version of yourself.’ That’s what I keep trying to tell myself. Just be the best version of me. Sean entrusted me with the job, do the best job you can, and don’t try to be anybody else.”

It has worked, culminating in Monday night’s masterful game plan that throttled the Vikings’ offense from the get-go and tied a postseason record with nine total sacks.

The challenge intensifies on Sunday, as the Rams get another crack at an offense that tore up the L.A. defense in Week 12, punctuated by Saquon Barkley’s 255 rushing yards.

“It was tough,” Shula said regarding the 37-20 loss. “The NFL is a humbling league. You’re only a week away from being humbled and that was a humbling night. The game got away from us a little bit in the end. We’ve had some games like that unfortunately this year and I always say, ‘Just stick your face in the fan, make the corrections that we need to do moving forward and let’s do it as coaches and players.’ We’ll try and put them in better positions and players need to make the plays that they’re supposed to make. That’s all you do. Just correct it, move forward and hopefully you play better next week.”

If they do, they’ll potentially earn a spot in the NFC Championship. And it could get an interview or two for Shula in the slowly-moving coaching carousel.

The 38-year-old Shula arrived in L.A. with McVay in 2017, working his way up to the position he now holds. He spent two years before that as a defensive quality control coach with the Chargers and, prior to that, five years at the college level.

Chris Shula, the newly appointed defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, has made a conscious decision to be true to himself and his coaching style. Known for his innovative and aggressive approach to defense, Shula has not shied away from implementing his own strategies and tactics with the Rams.

Since taking over as defensive coordinator, Shula has brought a fresh perspective to the team, pushing players to take more risks and play with a sense of urgency. His no-nonsense attitude and commitment to being authentic have resonated with the players, leading to improved performance on the field.

Under Shula’s guidance, the Rams defense has flourished, ranking among the top in the league in key statistical categories. His emphasis on communication, discipline, and teamwork has fostered a strong sense of camaraderie among the players, resulting in a cohesive unit that works together seamlessly.

By staying true to himself and his coaching philosophy, Chris Shula has proven that being authentic and genuine can lead to success on the football field. His approach has not only elevated the performance of the Rams defense but has also earned him the respect and admiration of his players and coaching staff. As the season progresses, it is clear that Shula’s commitment to being himself is paying off, and the Rams defense is poised to continue their dominance under his leadership.

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Panthers part ways with Nate Carroll as passing game coordinator

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers are parting ways with passing game coordinator Nate Carroll, a league source told The Athletic on Friday.

The son of former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll spent a year on the inaugural staff of Panthers coach Dave Canales, who knew the younger Carroll from their time together in Seattle.

Canales has now moved on from four assistants since the end of the Panthers’ 5-12 season. Outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu, safeties coach Bert Watts and defensive quality control coach Bobby Maffei were let go last week. Rumblings about Carroll’s future also surfaced recently while his father was drawing interest in head coaching vacancies in Chicago and Las Vegas.

Carroll came to Charlotte after 14 years on his father’s staff in Seattle, where he held a variety of roles, mostly on the offensive side. He was one of several ex-Seahawks assistants who joined Canales when he was hired by Carolina after one year as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator.

Bryce Young enjoyed a late-season resurgence under Canales, who successfully helped turn around the careers of Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith in Tampa and Seattle, respectively. In addition to Canales, the Panthers’ staff features several other assistants with experience coaching QBs: Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, QB coach Will Harriger and senior assistant Jim Caldwell.

Required reading

(Photo: Alika Jenner / Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers have announced that they are parting ways with Nate Carroll, who has served as the passing game coordinator for the team. This decision comes after a disappointing season for the Panthers, who finished with a record of 5-12 and missed the playoffs.

Carroll joined the Panthers coaching staff in 2018 and was tasked with overseeing the team’s passing game. However, the offense struggled to find consistency throughout the season, ranking near the bottom of the league in passing yards per game.

Head coach Matt Rhule expressed his gratitude for Carroll’s contributions to the team but stated that he felt it was time to make a change in order to improve the team’s performance on offense. The Panthers will begin the search for a new passing game coordinator immediately.

Fans of the Panthers are eager to see what changes will be made to the coaching staff in the offseason and are hopeful that these moves will lead to a more successful season in the future.

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Lions Coordinator ‘Still The Frontrunner’ For Jets Job, New Report Says

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Have the New York Jets established a frontrunner among the candidates to become their next head coach?

Bleacher Report’s NFL insider James Palmer indicated this week that — among the several men the Jets have interviewed — a defense coordinator from the Detroit Lions has emerged as the favorite to land the position.

“It seems like Aaron Glenn’s kind of still the frontrunner,” Palmer said.

“What Aaron Glenn has done on both the personnel side, the coaching side … I think with the cultural changes that need to change (in New York) that are attached to him with … (having been) around somebody that builds a culture like Sean Payton (or) Dan Campbell … (that’s) important when you’re evaluating everything that needs to change with the Jets.”

Glenn, 52, worked under Payton as a defensive backs coach in the New Orleans Saints organization between 2016 and 2020. Since 2021, Glenn has operated as Detroit’s defensive coordinator under Campbell.

Before New Orleans, Glenn worked as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns between 2014 and 2015, his first experience as an NFL coach.

Glenn’s connection to the Jets organization is strong. He was selected by New York with the No. 12 overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft and played his first eight NFL seasons with the Jets, accruing two Pro Bowl selections along the way (he’s a member of the Jets’ All-Time Four Decade Team).

Glenn also worked as a personnel scout for the Jets between 2012 and 2013.

While some reports have suggested that the Jets job is Glenn’s top choice, that hasn’t stopped him from interviewing with the Saints, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars for their head coaching vacancies.

Notably, Glenn turned down an interview with the New England Patriots, and later cleared the air as to why, saying, “It just wasn’t the best situation for me.”

For now, Glenn has the Washington Commanders to think about. Glenn’s Lions host the Commanders for a divisional-round showdown on Saturday night.

More NFL: Jets’ Aaron Rodgers Predicted To Reunite With Former Coach On This NFC Team

According to a recent report, Lions Coordinator is still the frontrunner for the Jets job. With the coaching search in full swing, it seems that Lions Coordinator has impressed the Jets organization with his experience and leadership qualities. Stay tuned for more updates as the Jets continue their search for their next head coach. #Jets #CoachingSearch #LionsCoordinator

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Top defensive coordinator candidates for Chiefs to consider if Steve Spagnuolo leaves

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The Kansas City Chiefs hired Steve Spagnuolo to be their defensive coordinator in 2019, replacing Bob Sutton, who had held the position for the first six years of Andy Reid’s tenure in K.C. Spagnuolo came in to fix a wounded Chiefs’ defense, and while it took some time to transition the unit into what it is now, he’s done a wonderful job in the role.

It makes sense that Spags would get some head coaching interviews. WHile Chiefs fans are hoping that he doesn’t get hired away, the fact of the matter is that it could happen. Fortunately, K.C. has a few things in its favor (or rather, against Spags) in the head coaching sweepstakes.

First and foremost, there are now only five spots remaining after the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel to be their head coach. Ben Johnson is another popular candidate as well (assuming he leaves Detroit this time) and that will take up another spot. From there, it’ll be a mad dash from the other needy teams to try and find who they want to lead their team.

Another factor working against Spags is the fact that he’s been a head coach before and it did not go well. Spagnuolo was the head coach of the St. Louis Rams from 2009 to 2011 and put together a paltry 10-38 record in the role. He was also the Giants’ interim head coach in the 2017 season and went 1-3.

The last factor working against Spags is his age. He turned 65 in December and while it’s okay to have a head coach that’s 65, bringing one in at that age might not be the best idea, unless they’ve proven to be really good in the role in the past.

Anyway, with all of that out of the way, let’s now shift gears to looking at potential replacements for the Chiefs to consider if Spagnuolo is indeed hired by another team to be their head coach.

Dennis Allen

Sometimes guys are fantastic coordinators but make lousy head coaches and that’s absolutely the case for Dennis Allen. This past year wasn’t kind to Allen, who was fired by the New Orleans Saints after the team’s 2-7 start (mostly after they lost seven games in a row after a 2-0 start).

Allen had previously served as the Raiders’ head coach from 2012 to 2014 and did not fare well there, finishing his Raiders head coaching tenure with an 8-28 record. Sean Payton then brought Allen to New Orleans where the Saints’ defense went from awful to amazing under his tutelage.

In 2020 and 2021, Saints defenses were ranked top five in points scored (meaning they prevented teams from scoring on them more often than not) and the turnaround he had with that unit was very impressive. Once Payton bailed on the Saints following the 2021 season, however, Allen was promoted to head coach where he proved that not every coordinator is cut out for that particular promotion.

That being said, Allen is only 52 years old and has shown that he has what it takes to lead a top defense. If the Chiefs had to lose Spags, getting Allen would be one hell of a consolation prize.

Lou Anarumo

The Bengals’ loss could be the Chiefs’ gain, even if Spags departs in the offseason. One of the only teams to beat the Chiefs in the playoffs during the Patrick Mahomes era was the Bengals, who were able to do so in large part because of how well their defense contained Mahomes. Credit there goes to Lou Anarumo, who served as the Bengals defensive coordinator from 2019 until this past season.

Anarumo was fired by the Bengals following the end of the regular season after two disappointing seasons for the Cincinnati defense, which was once a strength of the team. Sure, the Bengals have Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase on offense but those two lengthy playoff runs they had in 2021 and 2022 were aided by the defense and Anarumo played a huge role in those schemes.

The 2022 season in particular was a huge one for Anarumo’s defense, as his unit ranked sixth in points allowed that year. The Bengals’ defense going downhill wasn’t necessarily all on Anarumo, as the front office let key players such as Jessie Bates and D.J. Reader leave in free agency and that ended up being a massive mistake.

It’d be pretty funny if the Chiefs brought Anarumo in after Cincinnati fired him and then used the Bengals’ secret weapon against them in the future. Imagine him dialing up schemes to make Burrow’s life hell. That’s a funny image. (It can’t hurt that Travis Kelce has mad respect for him, too.)

Robert Saleh

This one can be filed away under the unlikely category but hey, why not float the idea out there? Robert Saleh would be one of the best names to bring into Kansas City and the appeal of coaching a team with a strong chance to win a Super Bowl would have to be intriguing to Saleh.

Saleh rose to fame as the 49ers defensive coordinator during his time with the team from 2017 to 2020. Chiefs fans know Saleh’s work well considering the 49ers were the team the Chiefs had to go up against in Super Bowl LIV. That defense made Mahomes’ life hell in that game and it’s still a miracle how the team came from behind to win the team’s first championship in 50 years.

Saleh was hired to be the Jets head coach in 2021 and while, yes, some of the failure certainly landed on his shoulders, he wasn’t entirely to blame. The team could never quite get the quarterback situation figured out and once the defense, which was Saleh’s strength, started to falter, that was it for him and he was fired after a 2-3 start in 2024.

Saleh is fielding both head coach and defensive coordinator interviews for the 2025 season and if the Chiefs lost Spags, reaching out to Saleh to see if he would be interested in coming to Kansas City would be a must for the front office.

Hopefully the Chiefs don’t lose Spagnuolo, but if they did, there are plenty of other skilled candidates they can bring in to replace him.

Todd Bowles – Bowles has a strong track record as a defensive coordinator, most notably with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets. He is currently the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has helped lead a strong defense that helped win a Super Bowl in 2020.
Gus Bradley – Bradley has experience as a defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Chargers, where he helped lead both teams to successful defensive seasons. He is currently the defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders and could bring his expertise to the Chiefs.
Raheem Morris – Morris has experience as a defensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons and has also served as an interim head coach for the team. He is currently the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams and has helped lead a strong defense that has been successful in recent years.
Leslie Frazier – Frazier has experience as a defensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills, where he has helped lead successful defenses. He is currently the defensive coordinator for the Bills and could bring his expertise to the Chiefs if Spagnuolo were to leave.
Kris Richard – Richard has experience as a defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys, where he has helped lead successful defenses. He is currently the defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints and could be a strong candidate for the Chiefs if Spagnuolo were to depart.

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Penn State letterman, defensive coordinator candidate is now off the board

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A Penn State letterman won’t be returning home to be the Nittany Lions’ new defensive coordinator.

D’Anton Lynn, a candidate for Penn State’s opening at defensive coordinator, has signed a contract extension with USC. ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news on Thursday night.

Lynn was on James Franklin’s list of candidates, possibly at the top, as the Nittany Lions look to replace Tom Allen, who left for the same role at Clemson earlier this week.

Lynn, 35, is a rising star in the coaching industry. The Penn State letterman spent time as an NFL assistant with the Jets, Bills, Chargers, Texans and Ravens before coordinating UCLA’s defense in 2023. UCLA ranked 10th in total defense and seventh in sacks.

Lynn took over as USC’s DC this past season. The Trojans ranked 98th in pass defense and 53rd in run defense. But as Franklin noted before playing USC, Lynn was tasked with “changing that defensive identity” after the Trojans were awful in 2023.

Lynn has seemingly parlayed the Penn State interest into a new deal with USC. Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley values him immensely, and that shows with his contract extension.

Now, Franklin and Penn State must turn elsewhere. Anthony Poindexter, the team’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, is an option. A name outside the program to keep an eye on? Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines.

After weeks of speculation and anticipation, it has been officially announced that Penn State letterman and defensive coordinator candidate, Sean Spencer, is now off the board. Spencer, who has been considered a top contender for the position, has decided to pursue other opportunities outside of Penn State.

Spencer, who played for the Nittany Lions in the early 1990s, has been a key member of the coaching staff for the past six seasons. His aggressive and innovative defensive schemes have helped Penn State become one of the top defensive units in the country.

While it is disappointing to see Spencer leave the program, Penn State fans can take solace in the fact that head coach James Franklin is known for his ability to attract top coaching talent. The search for a new defensive coordinator is already underway, and there is no doubt that Franklin will find a qualified candidate to fill the void left by Spencer’s departure.

As we bid farewell to Sean Spencer, we thank him for his contributions to the program and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Penn State football will continue to strive for excellence, both on and off the field, as we look ahead to the upcoming season.

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Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver Not Focused on Head Coaching

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Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver conducted his weekly media session Thursday morning hoping he’ll get the chance to do another one next week.

That, of course, would mean the Dolphins snuck into the playoffs, which will happen if they defeat the New York Jets on Sunday at the same time the Denver Broncos lose against the Kansas City Chiefs.

But it’s also possible that the South Florida media met Weaver for the last time because he should become a popular head coach candidate once the Dolphins season is over, which will happen if either of the two aforementioned scenarios doesn’t materialize.

But don’t think for a second that Weaver has begun his preparations for a potentially big step in his coaching career. His sole focus is on helping the Dolphins go as far as they can, including a playoff date with the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on the weekend of Jan. 11-12.

“It’s funny because I spoke to my agent last night and he’s like, ‘What are you doing to prepare for those ops?’ ” Weaver said Thursday. “I’m like absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing. Yeah, I’m so focused right now. I’m just controlling what we control, beating the Jets and praying that we get the help we need in order to continue this run. Because I think if we can get in, if we’re blessed with that opportunity, we can make some noise.”

With one game left in the 2024 regular season, we easily can make the determination that the hiring of Weaver to replace Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator was a massive hit for the Dolphins.

The team will go into the season finale against the Jets ranked third in the NFL in total defense and tied for eighth in points allowed — all this despite not having Bradley Chubb all season and having Jaelan Phillips for only a month.

The Dolphins also produced the team MVP in lineman Zach Sieler.

If the Dolphins indeed are to make some noise in the first few weeks of January, it’s more than likely it will have to be the defense leading the way given Tua Tagovailoa’s uncertain status because of his hip injury and injuries on the offensive line.

If the Dolphins don’t make any kind of run, Weaver’s focus then would shift to his personal opportunities and the Weaver watch will go into full effect.

And if it turns out he’s one-and-done because he becomes a head coach elsewhere, Weaver can leave knowing he did a great job in his short stint in Miami.

Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver Not Focused on Head Coaching

Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is making it clear that his focus is solely on his current role with the team and not on pursuing a head coaching position.

Weaver, who was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021, has been instrumental in transforming the Dolphins defense into one of the top units in the league. Under his leadership, the defense has shown significant improvement and has been a key factor in the team’s success.

Despite his success with the Dolphins, Weaver has made it clear that he is not actively seeking a head coaching position at this time. Instead, he is committed to continuing to grow and develop as a coach and helping the Dolphins achieve their goals.

Weaver’s dedication to his current role and his team-first mentality have earned him the respect of players and coaching staff alike. His focus on the task at hand and his commitment to the Dolphins’ success make him a valuable asset to the team.

As the Dolphins continue their push for a playoff berth, Weaver’s leadership and dedication will be crucial to their success. With his focus on the present and his commitment to the team, Weaver is proving himself to be a valuable asset to the Miami Dolphins organization.

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Ryan Walters Named New UW Defensive Coordinator

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Ryan Walters, who has built a reputation as one of the nation’s top collegiate defensive coaches, has joined the Washington football coaching staff as defensive coordinator, head coach Jedd Fisch announced today, Jan. 3, 2025.

Walters, who served as head coach at Purdue the last two seasons, comes to Seattle with a long, outstanding résumé as a defensive coach in the Big Ten Conference and the SEC, with highly successful stints at Illinois and Missouri.

“Today, Washington Football added a tremendous defensive coach and person to our program,” Coach Fisch said. “Hiring Ryan Walters allows us to continue to build on the foundation of the 2024 defense while continuing to grow and improve. His experience in the Big Ten Conference was vital in this hire, along with having deep family ties in the Seattle area. Amber and I are excited to welcome Ryan, Tara and their two boys into our Husky Family.”

Prior to taking over at Purdue for the 2023 season, Walters was the defensive coordinator at Illinois for two seasons (2021-22). Before his arrival, in 2020, the Illini ranked No. 97 in FBS in scoring defense and No. 114 in total defense. In his first year, those rankings improved to No. 29 and 49, respectively, and in 2022, he coached the Illinois defensive to the national No. 1 ranking in scoring (12.3 points per game) and No. 2 in total defense (263.8 yards per game).

Six Illini defenders earned All-Big Ten recognition in 2021, including safety Kerby Joseph, the program’s first first-team defensive back since 1989. In 2022, Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown both earned first-team All-Big Ten. Witherspoon was Illinois’ first-ever Jim Thorpe Award finalist and a consensus All-America. He was the Seattle Seahawks’ first-round draft pick with the fifth overall selection and made both the All-Rookie Team and Pro Bowl in 2023.

At Missouri, Walter’s 2019 defense ranked in the top 20 in the nation in several categories, including total defense (14th in FBS; 3rd in SEC – 312.0) and scoring defense (17th in FBS; 6th in SEC – 19.4), while excelling as a Top 10 pass defense (8th in passing yards allowed FBS; 2nd in SEC – 179.3).

Walters played college football at Colorado, where his father had played quarterback before him. Originally a quarterback at CU, he moved to safety, where he was a three-year starter (2007-09), serving as captain and earning team MVP as a senior in 2008. He graduated with bachelor’s degrees in history and ethnic studies in 2008.

Following his playing career, Walters spent the 2009 season as a student assistant at Colorado. The following year, he took a graduate assistant position at Arizona, and in 2011, he moved into a full-time role, coaching defensive backs in Tucson. In 2012, he coached defensive backs as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma.

Walters coached cornerbacks at North Texas in 2013 and Memphis in 2014 before taking a position coaching safeties at Missouri for the 2015 season, joining head coach Gary Pinkel’s staff.

After Pinkel, a former UW offensive coordinator, retired following the 2015 season, new head coach Barry Odom promoted Walters to co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Ahead of the 2018 season, Walters was named defensive coordinator at Mizzou, a role he’d hold for three seasons, including in 2020, when Eli Drinkwitz became the Tigers’ head coach.

In January of 2021, Walters was hired by Bret Bielema to serve as defensive coordinator at Illinois. Following the Illini’s outstanding defensive performance in 2022, he was a finalist for the Broyles Award, as the nation’s top assistant coach.

Walters’ success with the Illinois defense attracted attention from fellow Big Ten program Purdue, which named him its new head coach on Dec. 13, 2022. He led the Boilermakers’ program for two seasons.

Walters and his wife, Tara, have two sons, Aaron and Cason.

Walters’ Coaching Résumé

Washington
2025-present: Defensive Coordinator

Purdue
2023-24: Head Coach

Illinois
2021-22: Defensive Coordinator

Missouri
2019-20: Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
2018: Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
2017: Co-Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
2016: Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
2015: Safeties

Memphis
2014: Cornerbacks

North Texas

2013: Cornerbacks

Oklahoma

2012: Graduate Assistant/Cornerbacks

Arizona

2011: Defensive Backs

2010: Graduate Assistant

Colorado

2009: Student Assistant/Secondary

The University of Washington (UW) football program has announced that Ryan Walters has been named the new Defensive Coordinator. Walters, who previously served as the defensive backs coach at LSU, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.

In his time at LSU, Walters helped lead the Tigers to a national championship in 2019 and developed a reputation as one of the top defensive minds in college football. His innovative schemes and ability to develop players have made him a highly sought-after coach.

“We are thrilled to have Ryan Walters join our coaching staff as the new Defensive Coordinator,” said UW head coach Jimmy Lake. “His track record of success and his passion for the game make him the perfect fit for our program. I have no doubt that he will continue to build on the strong tradition of defense at UW.”

Walters is excited to join the Huskies and is eager to get to work with the talented group of players on the defensive side of the ball. “I am honored to be named the Defensive Coordinator at the University of Washington,” said Walters. “I look forward to working with Coach Lake and the rest of the staff to build a dominant defense that will help lead this team to success.”

With Ryan Walters now at the helm of the defense, Husky fans can expect to see an aggressive, hard-hitting unit that will be a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting season ahead for UW football.

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Ryan Walters Named New UW Defensive Coordinator

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North Texas

2013: Cornerbacks

Oklahoma

2012: Graduate Assistant/Cornerbacks

Arizona

2011: Defensive Backs

2010: Graduate Assistant

Colorado

2009: Student Assistant/Secondary

The University of Wisconsin has announced that Ryan Walters has been named the new Defensive Coordinator for the Badgers football team. Walters comes to Wisconsin after spending the past five seasons as the Defensive Coordinator at Missouri.

During his time at Missouri, Walters led a defense that ranked among the top in the SEC in multiple categories. He also helped develop several players who went on to have successful careers in the NFL.

Walters brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to his new role at Wisconsin. Badgers fans can expect to see a disciplined and aggressive defense under his leadership.

We look forward to seeing what Walters can accomplish with the talented players on the Wisconsin roster and are excited for the upcoming season. Welcome to the Badgers family, Coach Walters! #OnWisconsin #GoBadgers

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