EIU Recruiting Areas: Florida, Pennsylvania
Follow on Twitter @EIU_FB and @coachGristick
Eastern Illinois
* Hired as linebackers coach at Eastern Illinois in June of 2018 (enters fifth season in 2022)
* Promoted to Defensive Coordinator in February 2022 under head coach Chris Wilkerson
* Coaches linebackers group
* Added Defensive Run Game Coordinator title during spring of 2020
* Coached two leading tacklers on team with linebacker group making a total of 259 tackles in 2018
* Coached four leading tacklers on team with linebacker group making a total of 344 tackles in 2019
* Coached two leading tacklers on team with linebacker group making a total of 159 tackles in 2020
* Coached two leading tackles on both the team and the Ohio Valley Conference in in 2021 with linebacker group making a total of 222 tackles in 2021
* Coached first team All-OVC linebacker (Jason Johnson - ranked 8th in the FCS in tackles per game) in 2020
* Coached first team All-OVC linebacker (Jason Johnson - led FCS in fumble recoveries, top ten in FCS in tackles) in 2021
* Coached second team All-OVC linebacker (Dytarious Johnson - ranked 3rd in FCS in Forced Fumbles, 43rd in TFL) in 2019
* Coached All-OVC Newcomer member (Jason Johnson) in 2019
* Coached All-American linebacker Jason Johnson (Freshman AA in 2019, Sophomore AA in 2020, 2021)
* Coached linebacker Colin Bohanek, OVC leader in tackles for loss in 2021 (with 11)
* Defense ranked 44th in the FCS in turnovers gained in spring 2021
* Defense ranked 39th in FCS in rushing defense in spring 2021
* Defensive unit led OVC in team tackles for loss in 2021 season with (71 for 233 yards)
Prior to Eastern Illinois
* Graduate assistant coach at Syracuse University under former EIU head coach Dino Babers (2017 & 2018 spring)
* Defensive quality control at Syracuse in 2016
* Helped coach second team All-ACC linebacker Parris Bennett
* Defensive quality control coach at Missouri State in 2015
Personal
* Played linebacker at Eastern Illinois University from 2010-14
* Starter on team in 2012-14 making 194 career tackles with 20 tackles for loss and 3 interceptions
* Helped EIU win back-to-back OVC Championships in 2012 & 2013
* Helped EIU advance to FCS Playoffs in 2012 & 2013 (ranked No. 2 in nation reaching quarterfinals in 2013)
* Made 10 tackles in 2013 win over FBS member San Diego State
* Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Illinois, 2015
* Native of Orefield, Pa.