Casey Carlo Joins NSU Football Staff

Casey Carlo has been hired to the Northeastern State football coaching staff, head coach Kenny Evans announced Tuesday.

Carlo will join the RiverHawks as the new co-defensive coordinator, and he will also be responsible for the defensive line.

Carlo spent four years (2005-08) working under former NSU co-defensive coordinator Mike Knoll at Upper Iowa University, when Knoll was the head coach.

"I don't know if you can replace somebody like Coach Knoll, but I'm going to do the best job I can to try and fill his shoes," Carlo said. "He gave me my first chance to be a college position coach at Upper Iowa, and I have a great deal of respect for Mike."

Carlo comes to Tahlequah after spending this past year at Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he also coached the d-line and served as the recruiting coordinator.

"One of the reasons I wanted to come to Tahlequah was to work with Coach Evans," Carlo said. "Coach Knoll spoke very highly of Coach Evans, and I know I'm going to learn a lot from him. I'm excited to get on campus so I can spend time with everybody on the defensive staff."

In his lone season in Commerce, he helped the Lions double their sack total from the previous season to 16. His main recruiting areas were based in the Dallas, Texas, metropolitan area and the northeastern suburbs.

"I initially found out about Casey through Coach Knoll, and I felt like I've known him for quite some time. When I interviewed him, there was no doubt he was a guy we'd be interested in," Evans said. "He has experience at both the Division I and Division II levels, and I know he is going to help our defensive line reach their full potential. He is a great recruiter, and he has a great understanding of what it takes to win at this level."

Evans has also announced that John Murray has been promoted to assistant head coach. He will now coach linebackers, while maintaining his role as strength and conditioning coach.

Assistant coach and offensive line coach Mike Barela has also been named the recruiting coordinator. Chris Davis will take over Murray's responsibilities as the running backs coach.