Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Announces Addition of D.J. Vokolek to Coaching Staff
8/11/2023 2:46:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern football Interim Head Coach David Braun announced the hiring of D.J. Vokolek as a defensive assistant coach on Friday.
Vokolek comes to Evanston holding three decades worth of coaching experience, most recently spending the 2022 season as Nebraska's senior defensive quality control coach and the 2023 offseason as defensive coordinator at Southern Illinois.
"D.J. brings a wealth of coaching experience to our defensive staff, and I'm thrilled to have him on board," said Braun. "Our paths have crossed before, and I've witnessed firsthand his dedication and expertise. His track record of success and deep understanding of the game will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our team."
Braun and Vokolek overlapped at Northern Iowa during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, where Braun coached the defensive line and linebackers while Vokolek was the team's assistant head coach and linebackers coach. Vokolek served as the assistant head coach for the Panthers from 2017 to 2021.
Prior to his second stint with Northern Iowa, Vokolek was the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach at Buffalo in 2015. Before taking the Buffalo job, Vokolek spent nine seasons at Missouri State, occupying the role of associate head coach and defensive coordinator. With the Bears, he coached 14 Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer selections and 25 all-conference picks on the defensive side of the ball.
Vokolek made his first stint at Northern Iowa from 2003-05, serving three seasons as assistant head coach. He helped lead the Panthers to a pair of MVFC titles and an appearance in the FCS National Championship game in 2005. In conjunction with his role as assistant head coach, he was the linebackers coach in 2003, co-defensive coordinator in 2004 and defensive coordinator in 2005.
The first 10 years of Vokolek's coaching career were spent in the Cornhusker State. His first job came at Nebraska-Omaha as a graduate assistant before taking his first full-time coaching gig at Wayne State College as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. After one season with the Wildcats, he returned to UNO, staying for six seasons from 1997-02. From 1997 to 1999, Vokolek served as the team's linebackers coach and academic coordinator before assuming the role of defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2000 to 2002.
Vokolek was a three-year team captain and three-time NCAA Division II All-Nebraska selection as a linebacker at Nebraska-Kearney. His son Travis is a rookie tight end with the Baltimore Ravens.
Northwestern will kick off the 2023 season at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 3 at Rutgers. The game will air on CBS.
Vokolek comes to Evanston holding three decades worth of coaching experience, most recently spending the 2022 season as Nebraska's senior defensive quality control coach and the 2023 offseason as defensive coordinator at Southern Illinois.
"D.J. brings a wealth of coaching experience to our defensive staff, and I'm thrilled to have him on board," said Braun. "Our paths have crossed before, and I've witnessed firsthand his dedication and expertise. His track record of success and deep understanding of the game will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our team."
Braun and Vokolek overlapped at Northern Iowa during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, where Braun coached the defensive line and linebackers while Vokolek was the team's assistant head coach and linebackers coach. Vokolek served as the assistant head coach for the Panthers from 2017 to 2021.
Prior to his second stint with Northern Iowa, Vokolek was the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach at Buffalo in 2015. Before taking the Buffalo job, Vokolek spent nine seasons at Missouri State, occupying the role of associate head coach and defensive coordinator. With the Bears, he coached 14 Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer selections and 25 all-conference picks on the defensive side of the ball.
Vokolek made his first stint at Northern Iowa from 2003-05, serving three seasons as assistant head coach. He helped lead the Panthers to a pair of MVFC titles and an appearance in the FCS National Championship game in 2005. In conjunction with his role as assistant head coach, he was the linebackers coach in 2003, co-defensive coordinator in 2004 and defensive coordinator in 2005.
The first 10 years of Vokolek's coaching career were spent in the Cornhusker State. His first job came at Nebraska-Omaha as a graduate assistant before taking his first full-time coaching gig at Wayne State College as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. After one season with the Wildcats, he returned to UNO, staying for six seasons from 1997-02. From 1997 to 1999, Vokolek served as the team's linebackers coach and academic coordinator before assuming the role of defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2000 to 2002.
Vokolek was a three-year team captain and three-time NCAA Division II All-Nebraska selection as a linebacker at Nebraska-Kearney. His son Travis is a rookie tight end with the Baltimore Ravens.
Northwestern will kick off the 2023 season at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 3 at Rutgers. The game will air on CBS.
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