Kevin Kane (American football)
Kevin Kane is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Southern Methodist University.
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Associate head coach Outside linebackers coach |
| Team | Illinois |
| Conference | Big Ten |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | December 18, 1983 Kansas City, Missouri |
| Alma mater | University of Kansas (BS, 2006), University of Wisconsin (MS, 2010) |
| Playing career | |
| 2002–2005 | Kansas |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2006–2007 | Kansas (SA) |
| 2008–2009 | Wisconsin (GA) |
| 2010 | Wisconsin (DQC) |
| 2011 | Northern Illinois (TE/FB) |
| 2012 | Northern Illinois (LB) |
| 2013–2014 | Northern Illinois ([ST/LB) |
| 2015 | Kansas (LB) |
| 2016–2017 | Northern Illinois (DC/LB) |
| 2018–2020 | SMU (DC/LB) |
| 2021–present | Illinois (AHC/OLB) |
Coaching career
After finishing his playing career in 2005, Kevin Kane spent the next two seasons as a student assistant with his alma mater, Kansas.[1]
In 2008, he joined the Wisconsin football program, as a defensive graduate assistant for two seasons, and then as a defensive quality control coach in 2010.[1]
In 2011, Kane began his first stint as Northern Illinois University. He coached the tight ends and fullbacks in 2011, before moving to the defensive side of the ball from 2012-2014, coaching the linebackers. Kane also coordinated the special teams in 2013 and 2014.[1]
For the 2015 football season, Kane returned to his alma mater, coaching the Kansas linebackers. The following year, he returned to Northern Illinois as the defensive coordinator and Safeties coach.[1]
In January 2018, it was announced that Kevin Kane would join new head coach Sonny Dykes at SMU as the defensive coordinator.[2]
Kane was named the associate head coach & outside linebackers coach at Illinois in 2021.[3]
Playing career
Kane played Linebacker for the Kansas Jayhawks from 2002-2005. He was twice named Honorable Mention All-Big 12, and was Academic All-Big 12 three times. Kane was named a team captain for his senior season.[2]
Personal life
The Kansas City, Missouri native attended Rockhurst High School where he helped lead the team to a state championship in his junior season. He and his wife, Theresa, have three children, Jack, Colin and Nora.[2]
References
- "Kevin Kane". niuhuskies.com. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- "Kevin Kane Named Defensive Coordinator". smumustangs.com. January 16, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
- "SMU defensive coordinator Kevin Kane leaves to take assistant role at Illinois". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 22 January 2021.