D.J. Durkin

Liberty

Sep 13 (Sat)

5 p.m.

Height:
6-2
Weight:
240
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Boardman, Ohio

Durkin, a native of Youngstown, is in his second year as with the Falcons and assumes the duties of special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for the 2006 season. He coached defensive ends last year. In 2005, he mentored a young unit which included Brad Williams, Devon Parks and Diyral Briggs who accounted for a combined 14 sacks. He returned to his alma mater after spending two years as an assistant at the University of Notre Dame. He assisted the staff in all aspects on defense with particular emphasis on working with the defensive ends, where he coached the school[apos]s all-time sack leader, Justin Tuck. The Fighting Irish played in the 2004 Insight.com Bowl. Durkin spent two seasons as a graduate assistant with the Falcons and coached the defensive ends. In 2002, the Falcons were 9-3 and were ranked in the top 20 of both major polls. In 2001, the Bowling Green defense was first in the conference in total defense, as well as four other major defensive categories. A four-year starter at defensive end and outside linebacker for the Falcons as a player, he was elected a two-year captain by his teammates. He started 33 games in his career and recorded 131 career tackles, including 28 for a loss, at defensive end and led the team in sacks in 1998 and finished second on the team in that category in 2000. He also received a number of awards during his career including the Ken Schoeni Award for character and toughness, the Carlos Jackson Award for personifying the values of a true student-athlete and the Leadership Award for displaying great leadership. He played three seasons at Boardman High School where he was an All-Conference and All-Northeast Ohio selection. Durkin earned a bachelor[apos]s degree in business marketing from Bowling Green in 2001, and earned his master[apos]s degree in educational administration and supervision, in May 2004. Born Jan. 15, 1978, Durkin and his wife, Sarah, reside in Bowling Green.