Denny Doornbos enters his fifth season on the Northern Illinois coaching staff, and his fourth in the defensive coordinator's chair, with the luxury of returning the entire defensive coaching staff intact for the 2007 season.
NIU returns seven defensive starters and 19 letterwinners on defense this season, while Doornbos' linebacking corps includes returning starters Tim McCarthy and Cory Hanson, as well as 2005 letterwinner Phil Brown, who spent the 2006 season on the sidelines with a knee injury.
A year ago, Northern's rushing defense ranked second in the Mid-American Conference and 44th in the country, and the Huskies also had success in keeping its opponents out of the end zone as they allowed just 21.15 points per game to rank fourth in the league and in the Top 50 in the nation in that category. Over the last three MAC games of the year, NIU gave up just nine points per game and notched the team's first shutout since 2002 with a 27-0 victory at Eastern Michigan.
The previous year, NIU ranked second in the MAC and 34th nationally in scoring defense, yielding an average of just 22.8 points per game. Since 2003, four Northern Illinois linebackers have earned All-MAC recognition, including first team selections Brian Atkinson (2003) and Javan Lee (2004).
Prior to his arrival in DeKalb, Doornbos spent 14 years at the United States Military Academy (Army), including 10 (1990-99) as defensive coordinator. In 1996, when Army went 10-1 and won a berth in the Independence Bowl opposite Auburn University, his platoon ranked No. 6 nationally in rushing defense (89.0 ypg.), No. 9 in total defense (256.3 ypg.), and No. 18 in scoring defense (17.5 ppg.). In addition to his role as defensive coordinator, he coached the Black Knights' defensive ends from 1988-99 after spending his first two seasons on the Hudson (1986-87) as the tight ends coach.
From 1983-85, Doornbos was the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at the University of Texas-El Paso. In 1982, Doornbos was a grad assistant and worked with the inside linebackers under legendary coach Bo Schembechler at the University of Michigan when the Wolverines won the Big Ten Conference title, went 8-4, and played UCLA in the Rose Bowl. He also coached on the defensive side of the ball at both Kent State (1981) and Boston College (1980).
Doornbos' association with NIU head man Joe Novak began in 1978 and '79 at the University of Illinois when the Michigan native helped Novak, then the Illini defensive coordinator, as a part-time assistant coach, working as the head junior varsity coach and with the defensive line.
His coaching career began at Western Michigan University after an injury ended his playing career. As an undergraduate, Doornbos assisted with the secondary, inside linebackers, and offensive line.
A four-sport letterman in football (3), basketball (3), baseball (2), and track (1) at Jenison High School, Doornbos was an honorable mention All-State linebacker and tight end as a senior in 1973.
He received a bachelor's degree in industrial education from WMU in 1978. Doornbos is married to the former Helen Sanford of Winchester, Mass. They have two sons: Blaik, 16, and Darik, 12.
ABOUT DOORNBOS
Coaching Experience
2003-present, Northern Illinois, DC/LB; LB
1986-99, Army, DC/DE; DE; TE
1983-85, UTEP, DC/ILB
1982, Michigan, GA
1981, Kent State, DL/ST
1980, Boston College, OLB
1978-79, Illinois, DL
Playing Experience
Western Michigan, 1974
Postseason Experience
As a Coach
2006 Poinsettia Bowl
2005 MAC Championship Game
2004 Silicon Valley Bowl
1996 Independence Bowl
1982 Rose Bowl
Education
College: Western Michigan (1978)
High School: Jenison (Mich.) HS (1974)
Personal
Birthdate: Jan. 11, 1956
Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Mich.Â
Hometown: Jenison, Mich.
Family: Wife, the former Helen Sanford; Sons Blaik (16) and Darik (12).
