DeKALB, Ill. – Illinois native Nick Benedetto, a successful position coach and defensive coordinator at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and NCAA Division II levels for the past nine years, has joined the Northern Illinois University football staff as an assistant coach on the defensive side of the ball, NIU head coach Thomas Hammock announced Tuesday.
 
Benedetto comes to NIU from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., where he served as defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, overseeing a defense that improved in nine of 12 statistical categories in his first season. During his time as defensive coordinator at the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) for three seasons, the Cougars ranked in the Top 15 in eight NCAA Division II defensive statistical categories and twice advanced to the playoffs.
 
"We're excited about adding Nick to our defensive staff," Hammock said. "We went through an extensive interview process, and he was very thorough in his understanding of defense. He has extensive knowledge from his experience as a player in college and in the arena league, as well as through coaching career, including serving as a defensive coordinator at multiple schools. He's very detail oriented; he knows how to hold people accountable and is an excellent teacher and developer of talent. 
 
"In hiring Nick, it was about finding the right fit to help us improve as a defense. His experience and ability as a problem solver is something that's going to greatly help our staff and our football team." 
 
At Samford, Benedetto's 2020 defense saw improvement in nine of 12 defensive categories and ranked first in the league in turnovers and opponents' third down percentage, as well as third in quarterback sacks. During his tenure at Samford, five defensive players earned All Southern Conference honors and one – safety Chris Edmonds – was named a first team All-American.
 
Prior to his time in Birmingham, Benedetto spent three seasons (2017-19) as the defensive coordinator at Sioux Falls, his alma mater, which went 24-11 during that time. His 2019 defense ranked fourth nationally in total defense while the Cougars' 2017 defense was second in the nation. During his three seasons as defensive coordinator, opponents averaged just 15.6 points per game.
 
He recruited and coached Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck and saw two players earn All-America honors while 25 were named to the all-conference team.
 
Benedetto, whose first day at NIU was Monday, is no stranger to NIU's championship tradition.
 
"I'm extremely excited to join the NIU Football family and very grateful for this opportunity," Benedetto said. "Growing up 45 minutes from here, I'm thrilled to be back in my home state and can't wait to get out on the road and be in the high schools representing NIU. Coach Hammock, the staff and the players have done a phenomenal job building on the great tradition of success here and instilling a championship culture. I'm ready to get to work and be a part of this great staff."
 
A native of Crystal Lake, Illinois, Benedetto spent the 2013-16 seasons as defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division II West Virginia State University. The defense made improvements across the board throughout his tenure and the team finished the 2015 season with its best record in seven years. In 2015, Benedetto was named one of the "Top 30 under 30" coaches in the country by the American Football Coaches Association and the NCAA. He was one of two Division II coaches named to the list.
 
He began his coaching career at the University of South Dakota during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, where he worked with the safeties as a graduate assistant and spent the 2012 season as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at Grand View University prior to going to WVSU.
 
A standout defensive back who went to Sioux Falls after graduating from Crystal Lake South High School, Benedetto captained the 2008 National Champion team and was an all-conference in 2008 and 2007, when the Cougars were 13-1, losing only in the title game. The Cougars won 52-of-55 games during his playing career.
 
He graduated from Sioux Falls in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and earned a master's degree in sports management from South Dakota in 2011. Benedetto and his wife, Kelsey, have two sons, Rocco and Ace, and a daughter, Amara.
 
The defending Mid-American Conference Champion Huskies open spring practice on March 23 with the "Spring Showcase" set for Saturday, April 16 beginning at 10 a.m.
 
-- NIU --