Dave Cohen Bio

Rich Nagy Bio

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan University announced the hiring of Dave Cohen, former Hofstra head coach, as the program's new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and Rich Nagy, the Pride's former defensive coordinator as the Broncos' new safeties coach.

“Coach Cohen and Coach Nagy bring an abundance of success and experience to our program.  I was impressed with Hofstra's aggressive and hard-hitting style of defense during our game at Waldo Stadium.  I and the coaching staff are very excited to get them on campus to begin working in preparation for the 2010 campaign,” commented head coach Bill Cubit.

Cohen spent the last four seasons at the helm of a Hofstra football program that ranked 26th in the NCAA Division I FCS in total defense in a conference (Colonial Athletic Association) that boasts some of the top teams in the country.  His pass defense ranked fourth in the country in 2008.  His 22-year coaching career has been highlighted by a national championship in 2003, a trip to the national semifinals in 1997 and a trio of trips to the national quarterfinals in 1995, 1996 and 2004.  He was named the NCAA I-AA Defensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Monthly, in 2004.

“I am excited to join the Western Michigan football family.  I have always had great respect for head coach Bill Cubit as an offensive mind and as a head coach dating back to his days at Widener.  After playing at Western Michigan this past fall I was most impressed with the facilities and great game day atmosphere.  I can't wait to coach in that environment as the home team,” commented Cohen.

Also joining the WMU coaching staff will be former defensive coordinator Rich Nagy.  Hofstra's defense racked up 15 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries to go along with seven interceptions under Nagy's tutelage during the 2009 season.  Prior to joining the Pride Nagy spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Murray State where one of his players earned Walter Camp and Associated Press All-American honors.  Nagy was also named National Defensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Monthly, earning the award in 2002 while with the University of Maine.

“The opportunity to bring Coach Nagy only adds to my enthusiasm to come to Kalamazoo. Coach Nagy was the national defensive coordinator of the year in 2002. Rich and I have had success coaching at two other schools together. First turning the program around at Fordham and then having a top 30 Division I FCS defense with nine underclassmen this past fall. We share the same philosophies on coaching defense and have used similar systems now for over 11 years,” added Cohen.

Both Cohen and Nagy replace coaches on the Western Michigan staff that left to pursue coaching opportunities at other universities.