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USF Interview Two More For Coaching Vacancies

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 24, 2009

TAMPA - Illinois co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch and former Eastern Michigan coach Jeff Genyk interviewed for the University of South Florida defensive coordinator and wide receivers positions, respectively.

Disch, 50, has been at Illinois the past four seasons, the last two as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. In his two seasons as co-coordinator, the Illini ranked 56th nationally in total defense in 2008 and 55th nationally in 2007 when the Illini went to the Rose Bowl after finishing tied for second in the Big 10.

In 2005 and 2006, he was the Illini's linebackers and special teams coach.

Here are Illinois' 2008 and 2007 defensive rankings under Disch:

2008 – Total defense (56th nationally, sixth Big 10); rush defense (77th, ninth); passing defense (49th, sixth); scoring defense (67th, ninth).

2007 - Total defense (55th nationally, seventh Big 10); rush defense (36th, fifth); pass defense (83rd, 10th) and scoring defense (26th, fifth).

A Florida State graduate, Disch came to Illinois from the University of Florida, where he spent 2004 as the Gators' secondary coach and worked with current Illinois coach Ron Zook. Prior to that, he was a high school coach in Jacksonville for 22 seasons, the last 16 as head coach at Jacksonville White High School.

Genyk, 48, was fired Nov. 24 before EMU's final game. He was 16-42 in four seasons at EMU.

Before coming to EMU, Genyk was at Northwestern from 1993-2003. He began as a graduate assistant for two seasons and then was director of football operations for two years before being named Northwestern's outside lienbackers and special teams coach in 1997. He was safeties and special teams coach in 1998 and was recruiting coordinator, running backs and special teams coach from 2000-03.

Genyk, who played at Bowling Green, also was receivers and quarterbacks coach at Grand Rapids Community College.

With Disch interviewing, it appears Nebraska linebackers coach Mike Ekeler, who played for Leavitt, either turned down the job or wasn't offered the job by Leavitt.

Other coaches that have interviewed with USF coach Jim Leavitt include former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Joe Tresey, former Rutgers secondary coach Chris Demarest and former Kansas State/Kentucky offensive coordinator Ron Hudson.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928

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