CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri head coach
Tom Matukewicz announced Thursday that
Bryce Saia has been hired as the Redhawks defensive coordinator.
Saia (pronounced CY-uh) spent the last two seasons as safeties coach alongside Matukewicz at the University of Toledo.
"We are very fortunate to have a coach with Bryce's experience join our staff," said Matukewicz. "I have known Coach Saia for over 20 years. Our defensive players will love playing for him."
In 2012, Saia helped guide a veteran group of safeties led by senior Jermaine Robinson, who tied for the Mid-American Conference lead in interceptions. Robinson earned First-Team All-MAC honors, helping UT to a 9-4 record and berth into the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Prior to coming to UT, Saia coached at Emporia State for three seasons, spending the first two as defensive backs coach before adding defensive coordinator to his duties in 2011. Saia spent two seasons with the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Football League before initially joining the Hornets staff in 2009. He was the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator for Arizona, which advanced to the AFL playoffs in 2008.
A native of Joplin, Mo., Saia also spent four years coaching the defensive line at Southern Illinois under current University of Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill. The Salukis ranked either first or second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in sacks and rushing defense during his tenure. In 2004, SIU had the top-ranked scoring defense in the Football Championship Subdivision.
From 1998-2003, Saia worked as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Coffeyville Community College. The Red Ravens led the Jayhawk Conference in total defense during the 2003 season and consistently ranked among the nation's top-10 defensive teams. Prior to CCC, Saia coached the linebackers at Butler County Community College in 1997.
Throughout his career, Saia has coached numerous Division I and NFL players, including Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants), Jonathan Joseph (Cincinnati/Houston), Reggie Nelson (Jacksonville/Cincinnati),
Travis Fisher (St. Louis/Detroit) and Dashon Goldson (San Francisco/Tampa Bay).
Saia's first coaching job was as a defensive assistant at Fort Hays State from 1994-96, where he received his bachelor of science degree. He later earned his master's degree from Emporia State. Saia played linebacker for his father Tom Saia, a member of the Junior College Football Hall of Fame, at Butler County CC from 1990-91.
Saia was a two-time high school All-State linebacker in Kansas, first as a junior at Buhler High School and again as a senior at El Dorado High School. He has a son, Nicholas Cole.
Bryce Saia File
Age: 42
Hometown: Joplin, Mo.
Alma Mater: Fort Hays State, '96
Coaching Experience
|
Year(s) |
School |
Responsibilities |
|
2012-13 |
Toledo |
Safeties |
|
2011 |
Emporia State |
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers |
|
2009-10 |
Emporia State |
Defensive Backs |
|
2007-08 |
Arizona Rattlers (AFL) |
Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator |
|
2004-07 |
Southern Illinois |
Defensive Line |
|
1998-2003 |
Coffeyville CC (Kan.) |
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs |
|
1997 |
Butler County CC (Kan.) |
Linebackers |
|
1994-96 |
Fort Hays State |
Defensive Assistant |
