May 21, 2002

OPPORTUNITY FINALLY KNOCKS: NORTHERN ILLINOIS HIRES RHODE ISLAND GRID AIDE DARRELL FUNK

DeKALB, IL --- Northern Illinois University head football coach Joe Novak always remembers the bright, young, upcoming talent in his profession for good reason. Which is exactly how and why 37-year-old former University of Rhode Island defensive coordinator Darrell Funk became the Huskies’ new tight end coach.

Novak made the announcement on his coaching staff change Tuesday (May 21).

“You know, we wanted to hire Darrell six years ago and just did not have the opportunity to do it,” Novak said. “He was highly recommended to me back then and is now. Darrell’s coached at the Division I, II, and III levels. He’s been a coordinator and player on both sides of the ball. A major part of his coaching and playing career have been on offense. Most of all, he has a good feel with the kids---and that’s important in teaching and schooling our student-athletes.”

Funk has already started memorizing the Huskie playbook and replaces Frank Kurth, who left Northern Illinois after one season to become athletics director at Elkhart (IN) Memorial High School.

“This is really an excellent opportunity for me,” Funk said. “I’ve been trying to get on this staff for several years. I really respect and appreciate what coach Novak and his staff has accomplished here. I think I know what it has taken this program to get to this level. For me, it’s a privilege to be on this staff.”

Ironically, Funk represents the fifth former Rhode Island assistant to move to Northern Illinois during the Novak regime. Current Huskie coordinators Dan Roushar (1993) and Scott Shafer (1993-95) worked at URI, along with linebackers coach Pat Narduzzi (1993-99) and ex-Northern Illinois aide Mike Mallory (1993-95).

“Yes, it’s the Floyd Keith and Indiana connection,” Funk added. “I had the opportunity to work with Pat for two years and I feel like I’ve worked with Dan and Scott because I know so many people who know them. They’ve all done a great job with this program and, of course, the Mid-American Conference is a great, competitive league. Coach Roushar’s offense has put up some pretty big numbers in recent years. I’ve met some great kids in his program. I’m excited. It’s a great challenge for me.”

Funk arrived in Huskie Country after four years at URI and, most recently, the Rams’ best season since 1985. Under second-year boss Tim Stowers, Rhode Island finished 8-3 overall and wound up No. 20 in the final ESPN / USA Today Division 1-AA coaches’ poll and No. 21 nationally in the Sports Network version last fall. URI won its first seven games---including triumphs over three Top 20 1-AA teams---No. 4-rated Delaware, No. 4 Hofstra, and No. 19 William & Mary---and, by late October, the Rams soared to the No. 4 spot in both 1-AA polls.

After going 3-8 in 2000, the five-victory improvement equaled the best in URI annals---tying the 1967 and 1985 campaigns in that category. For Rhode Island, the 8-3 won-lost ledger represented the third-best overall record in the 102-year history of Rams’ football, the first winning season in five years, and the initial national ranking since 1985.

Doubling as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach last autumn, Funk’s Four-Three alignment ranked No. 4 in Atlantic 10 Conference turnover margin (+0.27 per game), No. 4 in loop rushing defense (151.4 yards-per-game yield), and No. 5 in league scoring defense (22.9 points per game). In addition, Funk helped tutor the one-two all-time tacklers in URI history----linebacker Paul Picciotti with 384 career stops and defensive back Lance Small, a 2001 Second-Team
Sports Network All-America selection who collected 379 career hits. In 2001, Rhode Island produced four players on the A-10 defensive all-stars---Small, Picciotti, lineman Marc Hayes, and back Chuck Wesley. Wesley ranked No. 5 nationally in pass interceptions last fall with 0.64 per game.

Promoted to defensive coordinator in Stowers’ first year, Funk coached a revitalized Rhode Island defense that yielded 321.3 yards---shaving 85.5 yards off its 1999 average---and 23.4 points per game in 2000. He began his association with URI as offensive line coach for Keith in 1998.

During 1993-97, Funk served as an assistant at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO, for two different head men---Jim Paronto in 1993 and Jay Hood in 1994-97. Initially, Funk tutored the Mavericks’ O-line for two years prior to being named offensive coordinator and offensive line boss during 1995-97. Funk spent three campaigns on the defensive side of the ball for headman Jeff Heacock at Muskingum College in New Concord, OH, in 1990-92. His tenure with the Muskies---highlighted by a 7-3 season in 1991---included assignments as D-line coach in the first year and as defensive coordinator and defensive line boss the last two.

The Fort Collins, CO, native earned his master of science degree in athletic administration from the University of Illinois in 1990 and served as a grad assistant defensive line aide on two bowl teams for head coach John Mackovic. Funk contributed to a 6-5-1 campaign and an appearance in the All-American Bowl in 1988. The next year, the Illini finished second in the Big Ten Conference with a 10-2 overall won-lost mark, wound up No. 10 in both the Associated Press and United Press International wire service polls, and defeated Virginia, 31-21, in the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Funk began his sideline career as a student coach in 1987 at Colorado State University in his hometown while finishing work on his bachelor of arts degree in social services, which he received in 1988.

A three-year regular at three different positions---tight end, defensive end, and defensive tackle, he won four varsity letters at CSU during 1983-86 for head coach Leon Fuller. As a senior, Funk performed on a 6-5 Rams squad that defeated both Brigham Young, 24-20, and Colorado, 23-7, en route to the school’s first winning season since a 6-4-1 standard in 1980.

At Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, Funk lettered in football (2) and basketball (3). As a senior, he captained the 10-1 state-ranked eleven that lost in the first-round of the state Class 4A (large schools) playoffs in 1982. In his last year, Funk started both ways at tight end and defensive end, plus was named First-Team All-Northern Conference, All-City, and All-State for coach Pat O’Donnell. He also performed in the All-State North-South Game in the summer (1983).

Funk is married to the former Teresa Innes of Urbana, IL. The couple has three children----sons Tyler, 11, and Dustin, 7, plus daughter Courtney, 5.

(For further information, please contact Mike Korcek) -30-