EIU Recruiting Areas: Chicago (Western Suburbs), Cincinnati
Follow on Twitter @Coach_Bowers & @EIUPantherFB
Eastern Illinois
* Hired as assistant football coach in January 2019 (3rd season in 2021)
* Defensive coordinator at EIUÂ
* EIU defense ranked 30th in FCS in total defense in 2019
* Coached one first team All-OVC selection (Jason Johnson in 2020)
* Coached three second team All-OVC selections and one All-OVC Newcomer selection
* Coached two freshmen All-Americans (Jason Johnson & JJ Ross)
* Defense posted sixth most tackles for loss in a season with 86 in 2019
* Defense ranked 40th in FCS in turnovers gained in 2019
* Defense twice held teams under 100 yards pass, three times under 100 yards rushing in 2019
* Defense ranked 44th in FCS in turnovers gained in 2020 despite playing only six games
* Defense ranked 39th in FCS in rushing defense in 2020
* Defense ranked 34th in FCS in pass interceptions in 2020
Prior to Eastern Illinois
* Head of Recruiting / Director of Player Personnel at Northwestern University (2011-18)
* Helped build roster that won Big Ten Conference West Division in 2018
* Finalist for FootballScoop.com Director of Player Personnel of the Year Award in 2016
* Recruited group that ranked No. 1 in FBS in Graduate Success Rate
* Northwestern participated in Texas Bowl, Gator Bowl, Outback Bowl, Pinstripe Bowl, Music City Bowl and Holiday Bowl
* Coached in spring semester at Valparaiso (2011)
* Coached at Concord University (Ohio) as secondary coach (2009-10) and defensive coordinator (2010)
* Ranked in top ten nationally in turnovers gained with 31
* Ranked first in conference in pass defense and red zone defense
* Coached seven All-Conference defensive players, three from secondary
* Served as defensive coordinator / recruiting coordinator / secondary coach at Defiance College (Ohio) (2007-08)
* Coached three first team All-Conference defensive backs and two second team All-Conference selections
* Ranked first in conference in run defense and second in total defense
* Defensive Graduate Assistant at Northwestern (2005-06)
* Assistant Director of Football Operations at Northwestern (2003-05)
* Defensive Assistant Coach (2002) and Graduate Assistant Coach (2001) at University of Findlay (Ohio)
Personal
* Bachelor's Degree from Wittenberg University in 1999
* Master's Degree from University of Findlay in 2003
* Published Manuel of Football Skills & Drills with proceed to benefit Lauren's First & Goal Foundation
* He and wife Christina have two children:Â Davalyn and Joe
* Native of Lima, Ohio