Kevin Coyle - Football Coach

Kevin Coyle

Title:
Defensive Coordinator
Email:
kcoyle@mail.fresnostate.edu
Phone:
559-278-3015

THE COYLE FILE

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
High School: Monsignor Farrell
Family
- Wife: Louise
- Daughter: Jenlain

EDUCATION
UMass
- Bachelors in Physical Education (1978)
Cincinnati
- Masters in Education (1979)

COACHING HISTORY
Fresno State
2022-24: Defensive Coordinator
LSU
2019-21: Senior Defensive Analyst
Atlanta Legends
2019: Head Coach
LSU
2018: Defensive Analyst
Cincinnati Bengals
2016-17: Defensive Backs
Miami Dolphins
2012-15: Defensive Coordinator
Cincinnati Bengals
2003-11: Defensive Backs
Cincinnati Bengals
2001-02: Cornerbacks
Fresno State
1997-2000: Defensive Coordinator
Maryland
1994-96: Defensive Coordinator
Syracuse
1991-93: Defensive Coordinator
Holy Cross
1986-90: Defensive Coordinator
1982-85: Assistant Coach, LB
U.S. Merchant Marine
1981: Defensive Coordinator
Arkansas
1980: Coaching Assistant
Cincinnati
1978-79: Graduate Assistant

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Position: Defensive Back
UMass

Last Updated: Jan. 6, 2025

Kevin Coyle joined the Fresno State coaching staff as its defensive coordinator on December 23, 2021. Coyle is no stranger to the Central Valley as he previously coached at Fresno State as the Bulldogs defensive coordinator under head coach Pat Hill from 1997-2000.

Fresno State’s defense was third in the Mountain West in total defense in the 2024 season. The Bulldogs were also in the top five in scoring defense, rushing defense, pass defense efficiency, and pass defense.

The Bulldogs extended their streak to four straight years with a shutout victory, defeating New Mexico State 48-0 in September.

Fresno State had six All-Mountain West selections in first teamers Tuasivi Nomura and Cam Lockridge, second team picks in Devo Bridges and Malachi Langley, and honorable mention selections in Dean Clark and Al’zillion Hamilton.

The Bulldog defense ranked third in the Mountain West in scoring (23.46 points/game) and passing (204.69 yards/game), fourth in total defense (370.85 yards/game) and seventh in rushing defense (166.15 yards/game) in 2023.

Fresno State had four defensive All-Mountain West picks in Levelle Bailey (LB), Carlton Johnson (DB), Morice Norris Jr. (NKL) and Devo Bridges (DL).

Fresno State’s defense saw its third-straight season with a shutout victory, defeating Arizona State 29-0 on Sept. 16, 2023. It was the first time the Bulldogs defeated a pair of Power 5 opponents on the road in the same season since 2004. In the win against Arizona State, the Bulldogs defense gained eight turnovers (5 INT, 3 FR), tying the program’s record for most turnovers gained in a game. The record was set when Fresno State had six interceptions and two fumble recoveries in its game against Montana State on Nov. 16, 1968.

The Bulldogs ranked No. 2 in the MW and No. 20 in the FBS in turnovers gained with 33 on the season.

Coyle works closely with the Bulldogs’ safety group, and coaches a duo of newcomers in 2023 in Dean Clark and Camryn Bracha who both saw significant play time in their first seasons as Bulldogs.

His first year back at Fresno State was a memorable one as Fresno State became the first program in FBS history to start the season 1-4, and finish with 10 wins. Fresno State ended the year on a nine-game winning streak, and won the 2022 Mountain West Championship and the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.

Fresno State’s defense looked different under Coyle than it had in previous seasons, running a bit more complex and NFL-like scheme in 2022.

In year one back as the defensive coordinator at Fresno State, Coyle’s defense rated in the Top 5 in the Mountain West in total defense (338.93 yards per game), scoring defense 19.43 points per game), rushing defense (149.57 yards per game), pass defense (189.36 yards per game), and sacks (2.14 per game). Fresno State was No. 9 in the FBS in team passing efficiency defense (109.88).

Fresno State’s defense ranked 14th in the nation in scoring defense, holding teams to an average of 19.43 points per game. Eight of Fresno State’s opponents were held to under 20 points, including five with 10 or less points. The Bulldogs shutout Wyoming on Nov. 25.

The Bulldogs held two opponents to under 200 yards of total offense in Coyle’s first season as defensive coordinator, including Washington State from the Pac-12. Fresno State saw a decent stretch of time without allowing a touchdown, keeping opponents out of the endzone for 25-straight drives over the course of two games - vs. Wyoming (Nov. 25) and at Boise State (MW Championship - Dec. 3).

Four Bulldogs earned All-Mountain West defensive honors in 2022, led by senior defensive lineman David Perales who was a first team selection. Senior safety Evan Williams (2nd team), and linebackers Levelle Bailey (HM) and Malachi Langley (HM) rounded out the picks.

Prior to joining the staff at Fresno State, Coyle served as a senior defensive analyst at LSU. Coyle joined the LSU staff as an analyst in 2018 and was a part of the 2019 National Champion LSU football program. While on the LSU staff, Coyle had the chance to analyze and break down some of the top-levels of college football offenses and learn a lot about the ever-changing game of football at the college level.

In between his two stints at LSU, Coyle was named the defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Legends (Alliance of American Football). Shortly after joining the franchise, Coyle was promoted to head coach of the team. After the AAF dissolved, Coyle returned to LSU in the same analyst role he held prior.

Coyle has nearly 20 years of coaching experience in the NFL as either a defensive backs coach or defensive coordinator.

He served as the defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins from 2012-15. He was with the Bengals for 13 seasons (2001-11, 2016-17).

Coyle has been considered by some as one of the top defensive coaches in Bengal’s franchise history. Working with the franchise under two head coaches, not only did he develop one of the NFL's top cornerback tandems of the late 2000s (Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph), but the Bengals' defense as a whole ranked seventh in the 2011 season largely as a result of their ninth ranked pass defense (211.6 passing yards allowed per game). He was also well known for reviving the careers of free agent such as Chris Crocker and Gibril Wilson.

During his tenure, the Bengals experienced the playoffs three times and in 2005 they had their most wins (11) since 1988. That season, the Bengals defense led the league in interceptions with 31.

Before his time in the NFL, Coyle was a member of the Fresno State coaching staff as defensive coordinator under Pat Hill. It was the first season as head coach for Hill, who brought Coyle to the Valley after a recommendation by current Bulldog special teams coordinator John Baxter who worked with Coyle at Maryland. Coyle had great success at Fresno State. In 1999 and 2000 the defense led the Western Athletic Conference in first-team All-Conference players (three each season). The team went to two bowl games during his tenure (1999, 2000).

He has had previous college coaching stops at Maryland, Fresno State, Syracuse and Holy Cross. Was a graduate assistant at Cincinnati (1978-79) in his early career, and a coaching assistant at Arkansas following the completion of his graduate assistantship (1980).

Coyle was a walk-on defensive back at UMass (1977-78).

Coyle is a 2011 inductee in the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame.