AUBURN, Ala. – Nick Eason was appointed defensive line coach at Auburn, head coach Bryan Harsin announced Wednesday. A 10-year veteran in the 2003-12 National Football League and former captain of the Clemson team, Eason trained for seven years in the NFL after his playing career.
“Nick is a signing that we are extremely excited about, as he trained and played at the highest level,” said Harsin. “After a 10-year career in the NFL, he immediately moved into the coaching position and quickly became an NFL position coach in two years. This is something that doesn’t happen every day and says a lot about his ability. training and connection. As we get to know Nick better through this process, the football part was very apparent, as he is a great teacher. But what stands out about Nick, in addition, is his personality, professionalism and ability to relate to people very quickly ”.
For the past two seasons, Eason has been the Cincinnati Bengals defensive line coach. In his first season, Eason helped Bengals’ defensive line improve significantly as the season progressed. Cincinnati scored 11 more bags in the second half of 2019 compared to the first eight games. The defense also allowed 84.1 yards less per game in the second half of the season. In addition, under Eason’s guidance, DT Geno Atkins won his eighth Pro Bowl nomination.
“I want to thank Auburn University, Director of Athletics Allen Greene, Coach Bryan Harsin and defensive coordinator Derek Mason for the opportunity to be part of one of the most elite programs in the country, “said Eason.” When visiting Coach Harsin, it became clear that he knows the necessary culture and has a plan to create a foundation for championship success. He has a great passion and cares about his team, players and the program. It is an excellent opportunity for me to train and recruit great players and be part of a football program with great success and tradition “.
Eason spent 2014-17 with the Tennessee Titans, serving in his first two seasons as an assistant defensive line coach before moving on to defensive line coaching for the past two years.
In their two seasons (2016-17) as a Tennessee defensive line coach, Eason’s units played a central role in the Titans’ defenses, ranked among the best in the NFL against the race. Tennessee’s defensive line was led by star DT Jurrell Casey, who in his two seasons under Eason led to 11 sacks, 37 hitting QB and won two Pro Bowl nominations.
In 2017, Tennessee’s defensive line ranked fourth in the NFL against the race, allowing an average of just 88.8 yards per game. In 2016, Eason’s first defensive line coach, the Titans allowed only 88.3 yards per game, and his second league position against the race was the team’s highest in 14 seasons.
In 2015, Eason helped guide Casey to a team of seven bags, 28 QB pressures and his invitation to the first career Pro Bowl. Eason also helped in the development of DE DaQuan Jones and NT Al Woods, who emerged as quality initiators and matched or improved their best career numbers across all categories.
In 2014, Eason’s first as a full-time NFL coach, he helped oversee Tennessee’s defensive transition from a 4-3 to 3-4 front. He also helped Casey continue his ascent into one of the NFL’s best self-defense attackers by posting 86 tackles, including 13 for defeats and 27 QB pressures. Eason also led NT Sammie Hill to career highs in tackles (47), sacks (3.0), loss tackles (seven) and QB pressures (8).
Eason’s first coaching assignment after his playing days came in 2013, when he was an intern coach with the Cleveland Browns.
As a player, Eason has been in action in 117 games over 10 seasons (2003-12) with the Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. He ended his playing career with the Cardinals, where he spent two seasons (2011-12), played 32 games and registered two sacks. Prior to his stint in Arizona, Eason spent four seasons (2007-10) with the Steelers and helped the team make two Super Bowl appearances, including a Super Bowl XLIII win in the ’08 season. He was a teammate in Pittsburgh with former Auburn prominence and current employee, Kendall Simmons.
Eason was originally a Denver Broncos fourth-round team in the 2003 NFL Draft, but he spent his debut season at Reserve / Injured after suffering an Achilles tendon injury during the training camp. The following season, Eason resurfaced on the Broncos’ active roster before being discharged and signed by the Browns, with whom he played for three seasons (2004-06).
Born in Lyons, Georgia, Eason played college football in Clemson, where he starred in the defensive line and became the first football player in school history to graduate with two years of remaining eligibility, earning his sociology degree in August 2001 In 2008, he obtained a master’s degree in human resources. Eason played 47 games with 35 games for the Tigers and recorded 15 sacks and 30 tackles for defeats. Twice team captain in his junior and senior seasons, he received honors from All-ACC as his first defensive tackle.