SMU Athletics

Kevin Kane joined the Mustang coaching staff as Defensive Coordinator and linebackers coach in January of 2018.

In year two, Kane led the SMU defense to a No. 1 ranking in the FBS for sacks per game at 3.92 and a top three ranking in tackles for loss at 8.5. The Mustangs forced 21 turnovers in 2019, ranking 34th nationally and fourth in the conference. The number included 12 fumble recoveries, which ranked in the top 10 of the FBS.

Kane mentored all-league selection Patrick Nelson, who set SMU’s single-season sacks record with 12.0 in 2019, as well as second-team honorees Rodney Clemons and Delontae Scott. Clemons was second in the conference (17th NCAA) with four interceptions and Scott ranked second in tackles for loss (16th NCAA) with 1.4.

Clemons (Kansas City) and Scott (Green Bay) both agreed to terms as undrafted free agents following the 2020 NFL Draft.

In his first season on the Hilltop, Kane’s defense ranked in the top 25 nationally in tackles for loss (17th) and fumble recoveries (22nd). Individually, linebacker Richard Moore registered 92 tackles and had a team-leading 5.0 sacks to earn American Athletic Conference honorable mention accolades. He also added 13.5 TFLs, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Jake Hall ranked sixth nationally with three fumble recoveries on the season.

Kane joined the SMU staff after spending the 2016 and 2017 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 (8.8) 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, and one daughter, Nora.