EIU Recruiting Areas: Kentucky, Tennessee, Montana
Follow on Twitter @EIU_FB and @CoachBignell
Eastern Illinois
* Hired as an assistant coach in February 2022 on head coach Chris Wilkerson's staff
* Promoted to defensive coordinator in March of 2023 after serving as defensive pass game coordinator and safeties coach in 2022
* Begins second season on EIU football staff for 2023 season
* Coached sophomore All-American safety Jordan Vincent in 2022
* Coached two second team All-OVC selections in 2022 (Jordan Vincent / Nick Coates)
* Safeties group had three players ranked in top six tacklers on team in 2022 (including team leader)
* Safeties group accounted for five interceptions, 17 pass break-ups and four forced fumbles
* Panthers defensive unit ranked 16th in passes intercepted and 29th in turnovers gained
Prior to Eastern Illinois
* Worked as a senior defensive analyst at Vanderbilt during 2021 season
* Helped coach outside linebacker position
* Worked as a senior defensive analyst at East Carolina during 2020 season
* Helped coach linebackers
* Worked at Notre Dame as a senior defensive analyst (2018-2019) and defensive graduate assistant (2016-18)
* Helped coach outside linebackers, rovers and defensive backs
* Coached on Notre Dame staff in three bowl games - Camping World Bowl (2019), Cotton Bowl (2018), Citrus Bowl (2017)
* Notre Dame posted a 12-1 record playing in College Football Playoff semifinal in 2018
* Worked as defensive graduate assistant at Northwestern (2014-15)
* Helped coach defensive line
* Coached on Northwestern staff in Outback Bowl
* Worked as defensive graduate assistant at Montana State (2013-14)
* Helped coach linebackers
* Worked at Montana Western (2012 season)
* Coached linebackers
Personal
* Played football at Montana State University
* Was a two-time All-Big Sky Conference selection at linebacker
* Helped Montana State win 2010 and 2011 Big Sky Championships
* Helped Montana State reach FCS playoffs in 2010 and 2011,
* Bachelor's degree from Montana State University in 2011
* Master's degree from Northwestern in 2016
* Native of Helena, Montana