From SMUMustangs.com:
Kevin Kane Named Defensive CoordinatorDALLAS (SMU) – SMU Head Coach Sonny Dykes has announced the addition of Kevin Kane as the Mustangs' Defensive Coordinator. Kane comes to SMU after spending the 2016-17 seasons as the Defensive Coordinator at Northern Illinois.
It was his second stint at NIU, having served in multiple capacities on the staff from 2011-14. During the 2015 season, Kane coached linebackers at Kansas.
Kane helped the Huskies to five Bowl appearances during his time in DeKalb, including a win in the 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl over Arkansas State, and three MAC Championships. The Huskies ranked 26th in the nation in total defense in 2017, leading the nation in tackles for loss (8.
and ranking second in sacks (3.31) and fourth in defensive TDs (5). NIU ranked seventh nationally in yards per play allowed at just 4.52, trailing only Alabama, Clemson, Wisconsin, Washington, Ohio State and Michigan.
They also ranked in the top 20 in 3rd down conversion percentage defense (11th), rushing defense (16th) and first downs allowed (19th). In 2016, NIU ranked 17th nationally and led the MAC in red zone defense.
Kane arrived at NIU after spending three seasons (2008-10) at Wisconsin, serving as a graduate assistant (2008-09) and quality control assistant (2010). While at Wisconsin, the Badgers earned berths to the 2008 and 2009 Champs Sports Bowls and 2011 Rose Bowl. Kane earned his master's degree in 2010.
His coaching career began in 2006 at Kansas, where he spent two seasons as a student assistant for his alma mater. He helped the Jayhawks to the 2008 Orange Bowl.
A 2006 graduate of Kansas, Kane played linebacker for the Jayhawks, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention accolades from the Associated Press on two occasions. He helped Kansas to a pair of Bowl appearances, including a win in the 2005 Fort Worth Bowl. He was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree and was named team captain as senior. He graduated from Rockhurst High School where he helped lead his team to the Missouri State Championship as a junior.
He and wife Theresa have two sons, Jack and Colin.
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 8:43 pm