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What new Northwestern DC Jim O’Neil said during introductory presser
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There’s a new defensive coordinator in town.
Earlier this week, Northwestern officially introduced Jim O’Neil as the new defensive coordinator, replacing Mike Hankwitz who retired following the 2020 season. He’ll be the program’s first new DC in 13 seasons.
O’Neil comes to Northwestern after spending the last three seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. He started out as a senior defensive analyst in 2018 before being promoted to defensive backs coach, a position he held the previous two years.
This will be O’Neil’s first job in the college ranks since he was the recruiting coordinator and safeties coach at Eastern Michigan from 2006-08. He’s spent the last 12 seasons in the NFL, with stops with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Raiders.
O’Neil was at Northwestern from 2003-04 when he was a graduate assistant and defensive backs coach.
Thursday, O’Neil met with reporters for the first time since landing the job with the Wildcats. Here’s what the team’s new defensive coordinator had to say:
O'Neil up now, says Fitz was gauging his interest during the NFL season. Says he's had interest from P5 schools over last 4-5 years but NU is the only school for which he'd return to the college level.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 11, 2021
O'Neil says they're not going to blow anything up scheme-wise but will work with the existing staff to find what they like and make it theirs. A combo of college and NFL twist.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 11, 2021
Says to expect more mixing of 4-3 and 3-4 concepts.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 11, 2021
O'Neil says one of his favorite memories from his time as a GA in '04 was NU upsetting #6 Ohio State at Ryan Field.
— Inside NU (@insidenu) February 11, 2021
New #Northwestern defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil on what he's looking for in personnel: "I want guys who make the middle of the field a scary place. Legally, of course, but that's football."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) February 11, 2021
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB