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It's difficult to tell which of defensive backs coach/special team coordinator Jay Sawvel's units were more impressive in his seven seasons at Southern Illinois. His defensive backs helped hold opposing offenses to just 18.5 points per game over seven seasons, while his special teams units included three All-Americans and 28 blocked punts. In 2007, both groups excelled as Southern's 21 interceptions were the fourth-most in the nation (FCS) and included four by safety Clayton Johnson, who also ranked fourth on the team in tackles. As a group, the 2007 SIU defensive backs accounted for 52.6 percent of the team's total tackles, and included four of the Saluki's top seven tacklers. The SIU special teams unit also shined under Sawvel in 2007. Led by All-American punter Scott Ravenesi, the Salukis ranked first in the Gateway Conference and seventh nationally (FCS) in net punting. With All-American return specialist Craig Turner spearheading the attack, the SIU kick-off return group was also the best in the conference, and ranked sixth in the country. But 2007 wasn't an unusually prosperous season for SIU's special teams. Sawvel's units blocked multiple punts in six of his seven years at SIU, including seven blocks in 2001. Equally impressive were the four touchdowns his group scored off punt blocks or returns in 2005. Defensive backs coached by Sawvel were an integral part of some of the best defenses in SIU history. In 2004, the SIU defense led the nation (FCS) in scoring defense, allowing just 13.2 points per game. That year, the Salukis intercepted 17 passes while allowing only 12 passing touchdowns and 202.7 yards per game through the air. Prior to coaching at SIU, Sawvel served in the same positions at Ferris State (1999-2000), where FSU won the 1999 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship, and ranked first in the GLIAC in three defensive categories (total yards allowed, passing yards allowed and third-down conversions against). For the 1997-98 season, Sawvel was a graduate assistant at Notre Dame, where he earned a master's degree in administration. In South Bend, his responsibilities included working with defensive backs and special teams, as well as scouting and recruiting. Sawvel also earned a master's degree at Eastern Kentucky, where he was a graduate assistant coach for the 1994-95 seasons. Sawvel did his undergraduate work and spent his playing career at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio. There, he earned his bachelor's degree in sports management with minors in business administration, information systems and physical education. On the field, Sawvel was a three-year letterwinner and an all-conference linebacker for Mount Union's 1993 national championship team. Sawvel and his wife, Jeannine, have two daughters: Mackenzie (3) and Miranda (1).
ABOUT SAWVEL
Playing Experience
Education
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