Brett Diersen joined the Mustangs' staff in January of 2018 and coaches the defensive line. Diersen reunites with Kevin Kane, SMU’s Defensive Coordinator, as the two spent four years at Northern Illinois.
The Huskies ranked 26th in the nation in total defense in 2017, leading the nation in tackles for loss (8.8) 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.
Diersen helped the Huskies to four bowl games during his five-year tenure and a pair of MAC Championships.
He spent the 2012 season coaching defensive line and special teams at Florida Atlantic after a season at Indiana as the defensive ends coach and recruiting coordinator. From 2008-10, Diersen helped Nebraska to three bowl appearances working with a special teams and defensive line that featured AP National Player of the Year Ndamukong Suh. Suh was also honored with the Bronko Nagurski, Rotary Lombardi, Outland and Chuck Bednarik awards.
He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin-Stout (1998-2000) and later returned there as Defensive Coordinator, defensive line and defensive backs coach from 2004-06. From 2001-03, Diersen coached the defensive line, outside linebackers and special teams at the University of Dubuque before spending a season with the defensive line at Minnesota State-Mankato (2007).
Diersen was a three-time all-conference defensive end selection at Huron (S.D.) from 1994-98, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1998. He went on to earn his master’s from UW-Stout in 2004.
He and wife Jenna have two sons, Brody and Hudson, and a daughter, Mila.
