The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State athletics communications.
AMES, Iowa – Stan Eggen (Egg-in), who has 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, has been named defensive ends coach at Iowa State, head coach Paul Rhoads announced today.
Eggen comes to Ames after spending five years at Louisiana Tech, primarily coaching the defensive line.
“This has been a unique hire for me because I wanted to honor the work that was accomplished on the defensive line by our dear friend Curtis Bray,” Rhoads said. “I wanted to make sure that we brought someone in that would mesh with me personally, our staff, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and our players. Stan and I have known each other since 1989. He is a man that will bring the highest character, professionalism and integrity to this transition. He is an outstanding teacher and an exceptional recruiter in the Dallas- Ft. Worth Metroplex. He is someone who cares deeply about his players and their well-being.”
Eggen has a reputation as one of the top recruiters in the country, earning the title of recruiting coordinator title at Louisiana Tech for his final four seasons. He’s been named as one of the top 20 recruiters in the country multiple times by Rivals.com and was named as one of the top 10 recruiters in the country by Scout.com.
His work on the defensive line was a major contributor to the Bulldog defense being the fourth most-improved defense in the nation in 20013. He coached a pair of graduating seniors in Justin Ellis and IK Enemkpali, both of whom accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. Enemkpali was a first team All-Conference USA selection and finished his career with 17.5 sacks, ranking third in LA Tech history.
During the 2011 WAC championship season it was Eggen’s suffocating defensive line that led the charge, registering 29 of the team’s 32 sacks. The Bulldogs held 12 of Tech’s 13 opponents to fewer rushing yards against the Bulldogs than they averaged for the season.
Eggen’s first year guiding the defensive line witnessed Matt Broha record a tackle for a loss in 11 of the team’s 12 games in 2010 and vaulted the junior to third in the school’s all-time sacks record with a year still to play.
In his first season with the Bulldogs, Eggen helped coach a defensive unit that ranked 13th nationally against the run, allowing only 103.9 yards per game, the fewest by a Tech team since the program joined the FBS in 1989. Tech also allowed only 23.7 points per game, the best by a Bulldog team since 1992. The Bulldogs also posted a 21-0 shutout over San Jose State during the season, the first shutout by a LA Tech team since 1996 (a span of 148 games). It was also the first road shutout since 1988 (a span of 225 games).
The Bulldogs success defensively led the program to the 2008 Independence Bowl title as LA Tech defeated Northern Illinois 17-10, the first bowl victory in more than three decades.
Prior to coming to Ruston, Eggen served as the defensive line coach at Texas A&M under coach Dennis Franchione from 2003-2007. During his time with the Aggies, Texas A&M participated in three bowl games, including the 2005 Cotton Bowl, the 2006 Holiday Bowl and the 2007 Alamo Bowl.
Prior to his stint at Texas A&M, Eggen served as the defensive line coach at Alabama under Franchione in both 2001 and 2002. The 2001 Crimson Tide squad participated in the Independence Bowl, defeating Iowa State, 14-13.
He also served under Franchione at TCU (1998-00) and New Mexico (1997) where he worked as the defensive line coach. He helped lead the Horned Frogs to three straight bowl appearances, including the 1998 Sun Bowl and the 1999 and 2000 Mobile Bowl. Eggen was an integral part of helping lead a TCU defense in 2000 that ranked first in scoring defense and first in total defense in the country.
Eggen and the Lobos participated in the 1997 Insight.com Bowl.
He had two stints at UNLV (1991-92, 1994-96) sandwiched around one year at Nevada in 1993. He was the defensive coordinator at UNLV from 1994 through 1996, gaining valuable experience and helping the Rebels to the 1994 Las Vegas Bowl.
Prior to that, he coached at Utah State (1986-90), Drake (1984-85), Memphis (1982-83), Southeast Missouri State (1981) and North Dakota (1979-80). While at Utah State, three of his players that he recruited or coached earned Big West Defensive Player of the Year honors.
His postseason resume speaks for itself. He has been a part of nine bowl games. Two of his defensive linemen from the 2007 A&M squad – Red Bryant and Chris Harrington – were selected in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Over his last three coaching stops, Eggen has coached more than a dozen defensive linemen who were selected in the NFL Draft and more than a total of 20 who signed NFL contracts. He has mentored the likes of the Tennessee Titans’ Antwan Odom, Green Bay Packers’ Johnny Jolly and Buffalo Bills’ Aaron Schobel.
Eggen, a native of Dilworth, Minn., earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Moorhead State (Minn.) in 1977 and his master’s degree in education from North Dakota in 1981. He and his wife, Christina, have three daughters, Sloane, Paige and Shelby.
