TicketsVeteran defensive line coach Steve Stripling started his second stint with the University of Cincinnati football program in 2018.
Stripling, a veteran of more than 40 years in the coaching ranks, returns to UC after a five-year stint at Tennessee as the Vols associate head coach/defensive line coach (2013-16) and director of football program development/chief of staff (2017).
He was previously at UC from 2010-12 as assistant head coach/defensive line coach and added the title of defensive run game coordinator from 2011-12. He served as the Bearcats’ interim head coach for the 2012 Belk Bowl, leading UC to a thrilling, come-from-behind 48-34 win over Duke.
During his career, Stripling has played or coached in 25 bowl games and helped teams to six conference championships.
During his time at Tennessee, he oversaw the development of defensive lineman Derek Barnett, a Consensus All-American in 2016 with 33.0 sacks, breaking Reggie White's previous UT program record. Barnett earned All-SEC honors in 2015 and 2016, and was selected with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Along with Barnett, defensive linemen Corey Vereen registered a career-high 11.5 tackles for loss along with 7.0 sacks in 2016.
In 2014, coached All-SEC selections on the defensive line in Barnett and Curt Maggitt as the duo combined for 21 sacks, third-most by a combo in nation. The Vols posted 35 sacks in 2014 highest total since school-record of 50 in 2000.
Barnett set Tennessee records for sacks (10) and tackles for a loss (20.5) by a freshman, both ranking in Top 10 nationally among all players.
In his first season at Tennessee, coached Corey Miller to the single-game sacks record (4.5), besting Reggie White’s 20-year record of 4.0 set in 1983. Defensive tackle Daniel McCullers was selected in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bearcats were one of the most improved defenses in the nation in 2011, leading the NCAA FBS in tackles for a loss (8.62), ranking second in sacks (3.46), sixth in rushing defense (96.23) and 20th in scoring defense (20.31).
UC led the BIG EAST Conference and ranked ninth nationally in turnover margin (0.92) while the Bearcats’ 33 turnovers gained was tied for fourth nationally.
The 2011 defense was led by BIG EAST Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year and All-American Derek Wolfe. Both Wolfe (Denver) and line mate John Hughes (Cleveland) were selected in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Brandon Mills led the squad in 2010 with 12.5 tackles for a loss and 6.0 sacks. Wolfe, John Hughes and Dan Giordano both ranked in among UC’s Top-10 tacklers a year ago. Wolfe had 48 stops, 6.5 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks, while Hughes had 47 tackles and 4.5 tackles for a loss and Giordano had 36 stops, 8.0 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks.
He served as Central Michigan’s interim head coach for the 2010 GMAC Bowl, leading the Chippewas to a 44-41 double overtime win over Troy.
Stripling joined the CMU coaching staff in 2009 as the associate head coach-defense and coached the defensive ends. Stripling worked directly with a pair of All-Mid-American Conference defensive ends during his first season in Mount Pleasant. Frank Zombo was an All-MAC first team selection for the second straight season, while Larry Knight was an All-MAC third team honoree.
Prior to CMU, Stripling coached the defensive line at Michigan from 2005-07. He worked directly with defensive end LaMarr Woodley, a 2006 All-American who won the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Trophy. Woodley also was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Lineman of the Year in 2006. Tackle Alan Branch also earned All-Big Ten first team and All-America second team accolades under Stripling.
The 2006 Wolverines led the nation in rush defense, surrendering just 43.3 yards per game on the ground. Stripling was a part of Michigan teams that played in the Alamo Bowl, Rose Bowl and Capital One Bowl.
Stripling’s other Big Ten experience includes two seasons at Michigan State University (2003-04), four seasons at the University of Minnesota (1997-2000) and 13 seasons at Indiana University (1984-96). He was the defensive coordinator at Indiana in 1996.
Stripling worked directly with two all-Big Ten selections at Michigan State, two at Minnesota and seven at Indiana. He was part of the 2003 Alamo Bowl at Michigan State, the 1999 Sun Bowl and 2000 MicronPC.com Bowl at Minnesota and six bowl games at Indiana.
Stripling also spent four seasons at Northern Illinois University (1980-83) and two years at the University of Louisville (2001-02). He helped lead NIU to the 1983 Mid-American Conference championship and coached three all-conference selections at Louisville, including 2001 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Dewayne White.
Stripling earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Colorado. As a player, he was part of Colorado teams that played in three bowl games: the 1971 Bluebonnet Bowl, 1972 Gator Bowl and 1975 Bluebonnet Bowl.
He signed a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons after graduating from Colorado in 1976. He spent the 1977-78 seasons as a graduate assistant at his alma mater before filling the role of recruiting coach at the University of North Carolina in 1979.
Stripling and his wife, Gayle, have three children, son Cody, twin grandchildren Asher and Lilly, son Chad, daughter Christy and grandchildren Calista and Seth.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: November 25, 1953
Hometown: Carlsbad, New Mexico
Wife: Gayle
Children: Christy, Cody and Chad
Education: Colorado (1976, B.S.); Colorado (1978, M.Ed.)
Year In Coaching: 41st
PLAYING CAREER
1971, 1974-75: Colorado (Offensive Guard)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Years: Position - Team
1977-78: Colorado - Graduate Assistant
1979: North Carolina - Recruiting Coach
1980-83: Northern Illinois - Offensive Line
1984-89: Indiana - Offensive Line
1990-95: Indiana - Defensive Line
1996: Indiana - Defensive Coordinator/LB
1997-2000: Minnesota - Recruiting Coordinator/LB
2001-02: Louisville - Defensive Line
2003-04: Michigan State - Defensive Line
2005-07: Michigan - Defensive Line
2009: Central Michigan - Assoc. Head Coach Def./DE
2010: Central Michigan - Interim Head Coach
2010-12: Cincinnati - Asst. Head Coach/DL
2012: Cincinnati - Interim Head Coach
2013-16: Tennessee - Associate Head Coach/DL
2017: Tennessee - Director of Football Program Development/Chief of Staff
2018-: Cincinnati - Defensive Line
BOWL GAMES COACHED IN
Year: School - Bowl
1977: Colorado - Orange
1979: North Carolina - Gator
1983: Northern Illinois - California
1986: Indiana - All-American
1988: Indiana - Peach
1988: Indiana - Liberty
1990: Indiana - Peach
1991: Indiana - Copper
1993: Indiana - Independence
1999: Minnesota - Sun
2000: Minnesota - Micronpc.com
2001: Louisville - Liberty
2002: Louisville - GMAC
2003: Michigan State - Alamo
2005: Michigan - Alamo
2006: Michigan - Rose
2007: Michigan - Capital One
2010: Central Michigan - GMAC
2011: Cincinnati - Liberty
2014: Tennessee - TaxSlayer
2015: Tennessee - Outback
2016: Tennessee - Music City
BOWL GAMES PLAYED IN
Year: School - Bowl
1971: Colorado - Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl
1972: Colorado - Gator Bowl
1975: Colorado - Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl
Stripling, a veteran of more than 40 years in the coaching ranks, returns to UC after a five-year stint at Tennessee as the Vols associate head coach/defensive line coach (2013-16) and director of football program development/chief of staff (2017).
He was previously at UC from 2010-12 as assistant head coach/defensive line coach and added the title of defensive run game coordinator from 2011-12. He served as the Bearcats’ interim head coach for the 2012 Belk Bowl, leading UC to a thrilling, come-from-behind 48-34 win over Duke.
During his career, Stripling has played or coached in 25 bowl games and helped teams to six conference championships.
During his time at Tennessee, he oversaw the development of defensive lineman Derek Barnett, a Consensus All-American in 2016 with 33.0 sacks, breaking Reggie White's previous UT program record. Barnett earned All-SEC honors in 2015 and 2016, and was selected with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Along with Barnett, defensive linemen Corey Vereen registered a career-high 11.5 tackles for loss along with 7.0 sacks in 2016.
In 2014, coached All-SEC selections on the defensive line in Barnett and Curt Maggitt as the duo combined for 21 sacks, third-most by a combo in nation. The Vols posted 35 sacks in 2014 highest total since school-record of 50 in 2000.
Barnett set Tennessee records for sacks (10) and tackles for a loss (20.5) by a freshman, both ranking in Top 10 nationally among all players.
In his first season at Tennessee, coached Corey Miller to the single-game sacks record (4.5), besting Reggie White’s 20-year record of 4.0 set in 1983. Defensive tackle Daniel McCullers was selected in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bearcats were one of the most improved defenses in the nation in 2011, leading the NCAA FBS in tackles for a loss (8.62), ranking second in sacks (3.46), sixth in rushing defense (96.23) and 20th in scoring defense (20.31).
UC led the BIG EAST Conference and ranked ninth nationally in turnover margin (0.92) while the Bearcats’ 33 turnovers gained was tied for fourth nationally.
The 2011 defense was led by BIG EAST Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year and All-American Derek Wolfe. Both Wolfe (Denver) and line mate John Hughes (Cleveland) were selected in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Brandon Mills led the squad in 2010 with 12.5 tackles for a loss and 6.0 sacks. Wolfe, John Hughes and Dan Giordano both ranked in among UC’s Top-10 tacklers a year ago. Wolfe had 48 stops, 6.5 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks, while Hughes had 47 tackles and 4.5 tackles for a loss and Giordano had 36 stops, 8.0 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks.
He served as Central Michigan’s interim head coach for the 2010 GMAC Bowl, leading the Chippewas to a 44-41 double overtime win over Troy.
Stripling joined the CMU coaching staff in 2009 as the associate head coach-defense and coached the defensive ends. Stripling worked directly with a pair of All-Mid-American Conference defensive ends during his first season in Mount Pleasant. Frank Zombo was an All-MAC first team selection for the second straight season, while Larry Knight was an All-MAC third team honoree.
Prior to CMU, Stripling coached the defensive line at Michigan from 2005-07. He worked directly with defensive end LaMarr Woodley, a 2006 All-American who won the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Trophy. Woodley also was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Lineman of the Year in 2006. Tackle Alan Branch also earned All-Big Ten first team and All-America second team accolades under Stripling.
The 2006 Wolverines led the nation in rush defense, surrendering just 43.3 yards per game on the ground. Stripling was a part of Michigan teams that played in the Alamo Bowl, Rose Bowl and Capital One Bowl.
Stripling’s other Big Ten experience includes two seasons at Michigan State University (2003-04), four seasons at the University of Minnesota (1997-2000) and 13 seasons at Indiana University (1984-96). He was the defensive coordinator at Indiana in 1996.
Stripling worked directly with two all-Big Ten selections at Michigan State, two at Minnesota and seven at Indiana. He was part of the 2003 Alamo Bowl at Michigan State, the 1999 Sun Bowl and 2000 MicronPC.com Bowl at Minnesota and six bowl games at Indiana.
Stripling also spent four seasons at Northern Illinois University (1980-83) and two years at the University of Louisville (2001-02). He helped lead NIU to the 1983 Mid-American Conference championship and coached three all-conference selections at Louisville, including 2001 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Dewayne White.
Stripling earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Colorado. As a player, he was part of Colorado teams that played in three bowl games: the 1971 Bluebonnet Bowl, 1972 Gator Bowl and 1975 Bluebonnet Bowl.
He signed a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons after graduating from Colorado in 1976. He spent the 1977-78 seasons as a graduate assistant at his alma mater before filling the role of recruiting coach at the University of North Carolina in 1979.
Stripling and his wife, Gayle, have three children, son Cody, twin grandchildren Asher and Lilly, son Chad, daughter Christy and grandchildren Calista and Seth.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: November 25, 1953
Hometown: Carlsbad, New Mexico
Wife: Gayle
Children: Christy, Cody and Chad
Education: Colorado (1976, B.S.); Colorado (1978, M.Ed.)
Year In Coaching: 41st
PLAYING CAREER
1971, 1974-75: Colorado (Offensive Guard)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Years: Position - Team
1977-78: Colorado - Graduate Assistant
1979: North Carolina - Recruiting Coach
1980-83: Northern Illinois - Offensive Line
1984-89: Indiana - Offensive Line
1990-95: Indiana - Defensive Line
1996: Indiana - Defensive Coordinator/LB
1997-2000: Minnesota - Recruiting Coordinator/LB
2001-02: Louisville - Defensive Line
2003-04: Michigan State - Defensive Line
2005-07: Michigan - Defensive Line
2009: Central Michigan - Assoc. Head Coach Def./DE
2010: Central Michigan - Interim Head Coach
2010-12: Cincinnati - Asst. Head Coach/DL
2012: Cincinnati - Interim Head Coach
2013-16: Tennessee - Associate Head Coach/DL
2017: Tennessee - Director of Football Program Development/Chief of Staff
2018-: Cincinnati - Defensive Line
BOWL GAMES COACHED IN
Year: School - Bowl
1977: Colorado - Orange
1979: North Carolina - Gator
1983: Northern Illinois - California
1986: Indiana - All-American
1988: Indiana - Peach
1988: Indiana - Liberty
1990: Indiana - Peach
1991: Indiana - Copper
1993: Indiana - Independence
1999: Minnesota - Sun
2000: Minnesota - Micronpc.com
2001: Louisville - Liberty
2002: Louisville - GMAC
2003: Michigan State - Alamo
2005: Michigan - Alamo
2006: Michigan - Rose
2007: Michigan - Capital One
2010: Central Michigan - GMAC
2011: Cincinnati - Liberty
2014: Tennessee - TaxSlayer
2015: Tennessee - Outback
2016: Tennessee - Music City
BOWL GAMES PLAYED IN
Year: School - Bowl
1971: Colorado - Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl
1972: Colorado - Gator Bowl
1975: Colorado - Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl