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MVFC CHAMPIONS
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2013 SALUKI FOOTBALL
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SIUSALUKIS.COM
The 2013 season is Eric Schmidt’s sixth season as a memeber of SIU’s
defensive staff. It is his second season as the inside linebackers and special
teams coach. In addition, he has worked with both outside linebackers and
the defensive line at SIU.
Schmidt has coached eight All-Conference players in his first five years
with the Salukis. His players have helped provide pressure on the quarterback,
a critical component of Bubba Schweigert’s defensive philosophy.
In 2012 with the help of strong play by the inside linebackers, the Saluki
defense recorded two shutout victories. The team also finished 10th in the
FCS in rushing yards allowed. Junior inside linebacker Bryan Presume led the
team with 78 tackles while senior inside linebacker Joe Okon was second on
the team with 66.
In 2011, defensive end Ken Boatright led the team with 6.5 sacks, while
nose tackle Kayon Swanson added four sacks and earned All-Conference
honors.
In 2010, defensive end Chance Coda was a second team All-MVFC
selection after posting 8.0 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Coda was also a first
team ESPN Academic All-American. Outside linebacker Jayson DiManche
was named to the All-MVFC honorable mention team after leading the
team in sacks, and he was named the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week
following his three-sack performance in a win over No. 20 Western Illinois.
In 2009, outside linebacker Kyle Walker finished third in the MVFC with
nine sacks, helping SIU lead the conference in total sacks. Another outside
linebacker, Chauncey Mixon, capped off his career with 41.5 tackles for a
loss and 16.0 sacks, which are tied for the seventh most in school history.
Schmidt, who in his playing days had a knack for getting to the quarterback,
has relayed that knowledge to the players he now coaches. A former standout
linebacker under Dale Lennon at the University of North Dakota, Schmidt
coached with Lennon at his alma mater for two seasons (2006-07) before
following Lennon to SIU.
Prior to UND, he spent four years as head football coach at Crookston
(Minn.) High School. He led the Pirates to a Section 8AAA runner-up finish
in 2004, and one year earlier, led the team to the Minnesota state semifinals.
Schmidt was named the 2003 Section 8AAA Coach of the Year. He also
coached girls basketball at Crookston and guided the team to a State AA
runner-up finish in 2006.
A native of Mandan, N.D., Schmidt played for the Fighting Sioux from
1998-01 and was a captain of UND’s 2001 national championship team.
A two-time All-North Central Conference selection, Schmidt earned All-
America honors as a senior in 2001. His 10.0 sacks as a senior set a new
school record.
Schmidt received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from
North Dakota in 2002. He and his wife, Tiffany, have a daughter, Kennedy,
and a son, Truman.
ERIC SCHMIDT
Inside Linebackers/Special Teams
North Dakota, 2002
12th Year Overall/6th at SIU
BILL O’BOYLE
Offensive Line
Western Illinois, 1987
27th Year Overall/1st at SIU
The 2013 season is Travis Stepps’ 10th as a member of the coaching staff
at Southern Illinois and his eighth year as a full-time assistant. He came to
SIU as a graduate assistant coach in 2004 and has been SIU’s secondary
coach, specifically in charge of the cornerbacks, since 2006. Stepps is the
lone holdover from the Jerry Kill staff. Stepps’ players have received 11 All-
Conference accolades in his tenure at SIU and he has coached a pair of All-
Americans in Craig Turner and Korey Lindsey.
Turner was an honorable mention All-American in 2007, and Lindsey
became just the second player in school history to be named an All-American
TRAVIS STEPPS
Secondary
Pittsburg State, 2002
12th Year Overall/10th at SIU
MVFC recognition in 2009, 2010 and 2011, with Boemer winning the
coveted Rimington Award in 2011. The award goes to the best center in FCS
football. Pickard received third team All-America accolades from The Sports
Network (TSN) following the 2009 season and was a two-time Academic
All-American.
Previously, Meyer has coached at Minnesota (OL, 2007-08), Wisconsin-
Oshkosh (head coach, 2000-06), Iowa State (QBs, 1998-99; TE, 1995-97),
Illinois State (OC, 1994), Western Illinois (OL, 1994), Northern Arizona (OL,
1988) and Southeast Missouri State (OC, 1986-87; OL, 1984-85). He began
his coaching career as a grad assistant at the University of Illinois (1982-83).
As head coach at Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Meyer led the Division III program
to 31 wins in seven seasons, including a 16-4 mark in non-conference games.
Meyer earned a bachelor’s degree (1979) and master’s (1980) from Illinois
State. He coached at his alma mater as a student assistant (1978) and graduate
assistant (1979-80). Meyer attended Milwaukee Pius XI High School, where
he was a starter on the Popes’ 1972 WISAA state championship team. He
played one season at UW-Milwaukee and three at Illinois State. He has two
daughters, Miranda and Madison.
Bill O’Boyle is in his first season as a member of the SIU coaching staff
after being named SIU’s offensive line coach on March 22, 2013. He was the
offensive coordinator at Colorado Mesa University in 2012.
From 2005-11, O’Boyle served as the head coach at Chadron State
College, where he compiled a 57-21 overall record, including three-
consecutive undefeated regular seasons and three Rocky Mountain Athletic
Conference titles from 2006-08. His .750 winning percentage was the third-
highest for active coaches in Division II entering the 2011 season.
Under O’Boyle’s guidance the Eagles won 28-straight RMAC games and
earned three NCAA Division II playoff berths, advancing to the quarterfinals
in 2006 and 2007 and to the second round in 2008.
A three-time RMAC Coach of the Year, O’Boyle was named the Liberty
Mutual Division II Coach of the Year in 2007. Twice, he was named American
Football Coaches Association Region 5 Coach of the Year, and he was also the
2006 Sportexe Division II Coach of the Year and Football Gazette National
Coach of the Year.
He coached 13 All-Americans and nine Academic All-Americans during
his tenure at Chadron State. Included on his list of former players are current
San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead and offensive lineman
Garret Gilkey, who was drafted by the Browns in 2013.
O’Boyle started as a graduate assistant and then assistant coach at
Chadron State in the late 1980s. From 1990-1994 he spent four years at
Western Illinois University, his alma mater, as the offensive line coach and
strength coach. He returned to Chadron State, and prior to his head coaching
duties, he was the Eagles’ offensive line coach and strength coach. In 1999 he
became the Eagles’ offensive coordinator.
O’Boyle has strong ties to both SIU and the Missouri Valley Football
Conference. His uncle, Tom O’Boyle, was the Salukis’ defensive coordinator
under Dick Towers from 1968-73. Two brothers, Mike O’Boyle and Dennis
O’Boyle, lettered in football at SIU in the early 1970s. Two more brothers,
Kevin O’Boyle and Tim O’Boyle, played football at Southern. Bill also played
and coached football for MVFC school Western Illinois. He and his wife
Susan have one daughter, Cassie.