Nick Eason, a 10-year veteran of the National Football League, has been named the defensive line coach at Auburn, head coach Bryan Harsin announced Wednesday. The former Clemson football captain coached seven years in the NFL after his professional playing career.
Harsin originally hired Auburn alum Tracy Rocker as the defensive line coach, but just a few weeks after being hired he was hired away by the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Nick is a hire we are extremely excited about as he has coached and played at the highest level,” Harsin said in a statement. “After a 10-year NFL career, he moved right into coaching and quickly became an NFL position coach within two years. That’s something that doesn’t happen every day and speaks volumes for his coaching and connection ability. As we got to know Nick better through this process, the football part of it became very apparent as he is a great teacher. But what stands out about Nick, in addition, is his personality, professionalism and an ability to form a relationship with people very quickly.”
For the last two seasons, Eason has been coaching the defensive line for the Cincinnati Bengals. Under Eason, defensive tackle Geno Atkins earned his eight nominations to the Pro Bowl. During the second half of the 2019 season, Eason’s defense saw tremendous strides. The line recorded 11 more sacks over the final eight games than they did in the first, and allowed 84.1 fewer yards per game.
“I want to thank Auburn University, Athletics Director Allen Greene, Coach Bryan Harsin and Defensive Coordinator Derek Mason for the opportunity to be a part of one of the most elite programs in the country,” Eason said. “In visiting with Coach Harsin it was clear he knows the culture required and has a plan in place to create a foundation for success to produce championships. He has great passion and cares for his staff, players and the program. This is a great fit for me to coach and recruit great players and be a part of a football program with great success and tradition.”
Eason started his coaching career with the Cleveland Browns as an intern coach and then the teams assistant defensive line coach. In 2014, Eason moved to the Tennessee Titans and served as the Titans assistant defensive line coach for two seasons. In 2017, Eason was moved up to the head defensive line coach where he served the role for two years.
In his two seasons as the Titans head defensive line coach, Tennessee’s defenses ranked among the best in the NFL. DT Jurrell Casey earned two Pro Bowl nods under Eason, recording 11 sacks and 37 QB hits.
In 2016, Eason’s defensive line ranked No. 2 in the NFL against the run, which was the highest mark for the Titans in 14 seasons. In 2017, Eason’s defensive line continued their success and ranked fourth in the NFL against the run.
Nose tackle Al Woods and defensive end DaQuan Jones matched or outmatched their career-best numbers in all defensive categories under Eason in 2015. That year was also Casey’s first career Pro Bowl invite.
Eason played collegiately at Clemson, where he became the first Tiger in school history to graduate with two years of eligibility remaining. Eason played 47 games, starting 35, for the Tigers, recording 15 sacks and 30 tackles for losses. He captained the Tigers for his junior and senior seasons and earned All-ACC honors as a senior, at defensive tackle. Eason went on to be drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.
As a player, Eason played in 117 games over the course of 10 seasons. He played for the Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals from 2003 to 2012. He ended his career after playing for the Cardinals for two seasons, appearing in 32 games and earning two sacks.
Eason spent four years with the Steelers where he went to two Super Bowls, including a win in Super Bowl XLIII in 2008. Eason was a teammate in Pittsburgh with former Auburn football standout and current Auburn football staffer, Kendall Simmons.
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