Findlay defensive coordinator Tom Rebholz named linebackers coach at SIU

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois has hired Findlay University defensive coordinator Tom Rebholz as its linebackers coach, head coach Nick Hill announced today.

Rebholz spent nine seasons on the staff at Findlay, including the last five as the team’s DC. The Oilers are coming off a 10-2 season and Division II playoff appearance. Findlay’s defense led the conference in most major statistical categories, including scoring, total yards and third-down conversion percentage.

"Tom had a ton of great reviews from the people who have worked with him, just being a great teammate amongst the staff and a football junkie," Hill said. "There were a lot of really good applicants that wanted the job, but I just felt like he was the best candidate, and since being here, he's already proven that."

Rebholz is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he played fullback and helped lead the team to a 35-11 record and four-straight NCAA Playoffs appearances.

He began his coaching career as a student assistant at his alma mater, and then made stops at Gettysburg, Pikeville (Ky.), Cal University (Pa), Duquesne and Fairmont State.

“I’ve coached multiple positions on the defense side of the ball, but I have a passion for linebacker play,” Rebholz said. “What Coach Pron (DC Lee Pronschinske) does in his system is some really good stuff. I have experience with quarters coverage, and I think with some of the things I've learned in the past, I can take his system and continue to have success here from a linebacker standpoint.”

Rebholz has coached three players who went on to play in the National Football League — Rontez Miles (New York Jets), Erik Harris (Las Vegas Raiders) and Dewey McDonald (Seattle Seahawks).

Quoting Tom Rebholz

“I knew that I wanted to be a part of a program where relationship-building was extremely important. There is a close family relationship between coaches and players at SIU, and if you're trying to win championships, you need that to be successful. This is a talented football program with some really special players in it. These guys are passionate about the game of football and getting better every single day. They challenge me as a coach to make sure that I know what the heck I'm talking about. It’s a fun group to coach. There are a lot of different personalities in this position group and it's gonna be a lot of fun to coach these guys."