EIU Recruiting Areas: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina
EIU Illinois Recruiting Areas/Counties: Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Mason, Logan, Sangamon, Menard, Cass, Morgan, Scott, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Adams, Tazewell
Follow at @EIU_FB and @Coach_Noel5
Eastern Illinois
* Hired in March 2025 on head coach Chris Wilkerson's staff
* Will coach linebackers
Prior to Eastern Illinois
* Assistant coach at West Georgia (2024)
* Worked as linebackers assistant and special teams assistant
* Defense ranked third in FCS in sacks per game
* Part of FCS National Team of the Week in opening week of season
* Assistant coach at Morehead State (2023)
* Coached linebackers and served as recruiting coordinator
* Coached two All-Conference linebackers, six total defensive All-Conference players
* Defensive unit led FCS in interceptions
* Graduate Assistant coach at Southwest Baptist (2021-23)
* Coached linebackers group
* Coached All-American Coleton Smith, leading tackler in NCAA Division II
* Coached three All-Conference selections
* Assistant coach at Alonzo and Tracey Mourning High School in Miami, Fla. (2020-21)
* Coached linebackers and special teams
Personal
* Played linebacker at NC State
* Member of three bowl teams (Belk Bowl, Music City Bowl, St. Petersburg Bowl)
* Led team in tackles in 2014 earning teams Defensive Player Award
* Team Captain
* Bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University in 2016
* Master's degree from Southwest Baptist University in 2023
* Undrafted free agent by Cleveland Browns
* Native of Everett, Massachusetts