Auburn hires NFL veteran Nick Eason to coach the defensive line

AUBURN, Ala. –Nick Eason has been appointed defensive line coach at Auburn, head coach Bryan Harsin announced on Wednesday. A 10-year National Football League veteran from 2003-2012 and former captain of the Clemson team, Eason coached for seven years in the NFL after his playing career.

“Nick is a rookie that we are passionate about because he has coached and played at the highest level,” said Harsin. “After a 10 year career in the NFL, he went straight to coaching and quickly became a post coach in the NFL within two years. It’s something that doesn’t happen every day and says a lot about his ability to coach and connect. As we got to know Nick better through this process, the football part became very obvious as he is a great teacher. But what stands out about Nick, besides, is his personality, his professionalism and his ability to bond with people very quickly.

Carl Lawson, former defenseman at Auburn’s defensive line, had this to say about the Tigers hiring Eason, who coached him in Cincinnati. “He will bring a lot of energy to Auburn! I also think he will like it there. “

The past two seasons, Eason was the defensive line coach for the Cincinnati Bengals. In his first season, Eason helped the Bengals’ defensive line improve dramatically throughout the season. Cincinnati registered 11 more sacks in the second half of 2019 from the first eight games. The defense also allowed 84.1 yards less per game in the second half of the season. Also, under Eason’s leadership, defensive tackle Geno Atkins won his eighth Pro Bowl nomination.

“I would like to thank Auburn University, athletics director Allen Greene, coach Bryan Harsin and defensive coordinator Derek mason for the opportunity to be part of one of the country’s most elite programs, ”Eason said. “By visiting Coach Harsin it was clear that he knew the culture required and had a plan in place to create the foundation for success to produce championships. He has a great passion and takes care of his team, his players and the program. It is a great solution for me to coach and recruit great players and be part of a football program with a lot of success and tradition.

Eason spent 2014-17 with the Tennessee Titans, serving his first two seasons as an assistant defensive line coach before moving on to the defensive line coaching role for his final two years.

During his two seasons (2016-17) as Tennessee’s defensive line coach, Eason’s units played a pivotal role in the Titans’ defenses which ranked among the NFL’s best against the race. Tennessee’s defensive line was led by star DT Jurrell Casey, who in his two seasons under Eason totaled 11 sacks, 37 QB wins and two Pro Bowl nominations.

In 2017, the Tennessee defensive line placed fourth in the NFL against running, allowing an average of just 88.8 yards per game. In 2016, Eason’s first as a defensive line coach, the Titans allowed just 88.3 rushing yards per game, and their second in the league against the run was the highest in the game. team in 14 seasons.

In 2015, Eason helped guide Casey to a seven-sack squad, 28 QB presses and his first Pro Bowl invite. Eason also contributed to the development of DE DaQuan Jones and NT Al woods, who both emerged as quality starters and matched or improved their career best figures across all categories.

In 2014, Eason’s first as a full-time NFL coach, he helped oversee Tennessee’s defensive transition from a 4-3 to 3-4 front. He also helped Casey continue his ascent into one of the NFL’s top interior defensive linemen, as he made 86 tackles, including 13 for losses, and 27 presses on the quarterback. Eason also guided NT Sammie Hill to career highs in tackles (47), sacks (3.0), tackles for loss (seven) and QB presses (8).

Eason’s first coaching assignment after his playing days came in 2013, when he was a trainee coach with the Cleveland Browns.

As a player, Eason appeared in 117 games in 10 seasons (2003-12) with the Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. He ended his playing career with the Cardinals, where he spent two seasons (2011-12), played 32 games and registered two sacks. Prior to his stint with Arizona, Eason spent four seasons (2007-10) with the Steelers and assisted the team in two Super Bowl appearances, including a Super Bowl XLIII victory in Season 08. He was teammate in Pittsburgh with former Auburn star and current staff member Kendall Simmons.

Eason was originally a fourth round selection by the Denver Broncos in the 2003 NFL Draft, but spent his rookie season in reserve / injured after sustaining an Achilles injury during training camp. The following season, Eason reappeared on the Broncos’ active roster before being canceled and signed by the Browns, with whom he played for three seasons (2004-06).

A native of Lyons, GA, Eason played college football at Clemson, where he played on the defensive line and became the first footballer in school history to graduate with two years of eligibility remaining, graduating in sociology in August 2001. In 2008 he obtained his master’s degree in human resources. Eason has played 47 games with 35 starts for the Tigers and recorded 15 sacks and 30 tackles for losses. A two-time team captain in his junior and senior seasons, he won All-ACC first-team honors as a senior defensive tackle.