Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football adds five more assistant coaches
01/18/2008 | 12:00:00 | Football
Jan. 18, 2008
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Ex-head coaches Kyle "Bubba" Schweigert and Tom Dosch highlight a group of five assistants added to the Southern Illinois University football staff.
Schweigert and Dosch reunite with first-year Saluki head coach Dale Lennon. The three were last together at the University of North Dakota, where they coached the Fighting Sioux to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2001.
Schweigert takes over as SIU's defensive coordinator after spending the last four years as head coach at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
 Bubba Schweigert  | |
The 45-year old native of Zeeland, N.D., Schweigert compiled an overall record of 22-21 at UMD. In 2005, he guided the Bulldogs to a 8-4 record, capturing a share of the North Central Conference championship and securing the school's second-ever NCAA Division II playoff berth. Schweigert was named both the d2football.com Northwest Region and American Football Coaches Association Division II Region V Coach of the Year following that season.
"Bubba is one of best coaches that I have had the privilege to work with during my career," said Lennon. "He possesses the coaching characteristics that are needed to be successful."
 Tom Dosch | |
Dosch, who will coach the Saluki linebackers, went 25-17 in four years as head coach at NAIA Jamestown College. Under Dosch, the Jimmies qualified for the NAIA playoffs the last two seasons. In 2007, they went 9-2 and finished the regular-season ranked sixth in the nation. Dosch, 38, hails from Strasburg, N.D.
"As an assistant coach, Tom was a key contributor to our defensive success at the University of North Dakota, and as a head coach, Tom continued his winning ways at Jamestown College," said Lennon. "He has a natural feel for the game and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our staff."
Both Schweigert and Dosch were under Lennon at North Dakota prior to their head coaching stints. Schweigert spent 13 years there, serving as UND's defensive coordinator from 1999-03, while Dosch coached the defensive line and outside linebackers from 1996-03.
Jared Nessland (strength coach), Phil Longo (wide receivers) and Scott Fuchs (offensive line) also join the Saluki staff.
 Jared Nessland | |
 Phil Longo | |
Like Schweigert and Dosch, Nessland also has ties to the Fighting Sioux. Nessland, 31, was UND's Director of Strength and Conditioning from 2002-05 before he was hired as Director of Athletic Performance at the University of Montana (2006, 2007).
"Jared is a strong technician and has a firm grasp of the successful training methods used to help athletes reach their full potential," said Lennon.
Longo, 39, was UMD's offensive coordinator under Schweigert last season. The New Jersey native boasts 17 years of coaching experience, including two seasons as head coach at NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) LaSalle University. Longo was with the Bulldogs for two years (2006, 2007).
"Phil brings both coordinating and head coaching experience to our offense. His experiences will be an asset to our program," said Lennon.
 Scott Fuchs | |
Fuchs (Fooks), 36, was the offensive line coach at NCAA Division II Grand Valley State in 2007. Prior to that, he coached in the same capacity at Nebraska-Omaha (2003-06), Minnesota-Crookston (2000-02), Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1999) and Valley City State (1997-98).
"Scott has established himself as one of the top young offensive line coaches in the country," said Lennon.
Current Saluki Football Coaching Staff
Dale Lennon, Head Coach
Eric Schmidt, Outside Linebackers/Defensive Line
Travis Stepps, Cornerbacks
Kyle "Bubba" Schweigert, Defensive Coordinator
Tom Dosch, Linebackers
Scott Fuchs, Offensive Line
Phil Longo, Wide Receivers
Jared Nessland, Strength and Conditioning
Austin Flyger, Graduate Assistant
