Brett Diersen leads the FAU defensive linemen through a drill. (OwlAccess.com file photo)
Diersen heads north
FAU defensive line/special teams coach Brett Diersen accepts job at Northern Illinois.
Originally published on
12/26/2012
by
Chuck King
Florida Atlantic defensive line/special teams coach Brett Diersen has left the Owls to accept a position at Northern Illinois, Owls coach Carl Pelini confirmed on Wednesday.
Diersen came to FAU from Indiana, where he was an assistant recruiting coordinator. Prior that he was a grad assistant at Nebraska where he worked with Pelini.
"Brett did a great job while at FAU," Pelini said. "He was a good coach and a good mentor to our players. I'm happy he has the ability to take a job closer to home and with a coach whom he has known for a long time. I wish him the best."
Diersen and new Northern Illinios coach Rod Carey worked together on the Wisconsin-Stout staff from 2004-2006.
As the defensive line coach, Diersen's biggest success was Trevon Coley - a true freshman who started all 12 games, recording 39 tackles including 1 1/2 sacks.
FAU finished below the Sun Belt Conference mid-point in nearly every special teams category in 2012 except for kickoff coverage, where the Owls placed third.
Diersen is the second assistant coach to leave the Owls during Pelini's tenure. Marvin Sanders was FAU's defensice coordinator for a matter of weeks before taking a job at Southern Cal in early 2012.
The Huskies will face Florida St. in the Orange Bowl on January 1.