WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University

Doeren names Nielsen recruiting coordinator, D-line coach

Dec 7, 2012

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina State head coach Dave Doeren made the first big hiring announcement to his staff Friday, naming Ryan Nielsen the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator.

Nielsen, a former All-Pac 10 defensive lineman, spent last season as the co-defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach for Doeren at Northern Illinois.

“Ryan is one of the best technicians on the defensive line that I’ve ever been around,” said Doeren. “He played the game at a very high level and learned to coach from a number of great defensive minds. He has great energy and passion for his players and is a tireless and energetic recruiter.”

Nielsen, 33, has spent the last two seasons at Northern Illinois after serving a year as the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach at Tennessee Martin, where the team led the Ohio Valley Conference in total defense. Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator for two years at Central Connecticut State. From 2005-07, Nielsen served for three years as the defensive line coach at Old Miss.

"I am very thankful to be joining the Wolfpack football family," said Nielsen. "Having worked with Coach Doeren in the past, I'm honored and humbled to join him here at State."

Nielsen was an all-conference performer as a sophomore at University of Southern California, tallying 39 tackles, and played while Doeren was a graduate assistant coach for the Trojans. He signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles and played Arena football with the Los Angeles Avengers.

 

• Web Editor: Aaron Schoonmaker