Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Tim Drevno Joins Northwestern's Staff as Offensive Line Coach
1/2/2026 9:13:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Tim Drevno will join the Northwestern Football coaching staff as the team's offensive line coach, Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun announced on Friday.
Drevno is a 33-year coaching veteran with experience at several Power Four schools, along with a three-year stint in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. During his career, he has guided six offensive linemen to first-round NFL draft selections (including five in the last six years), won a national championship at the college level, and coached in a Super Bowl.
Most recently, Drevno joined the Texas program mid-season in 2025 as a consultant after helping Ohio State win a national title in the 2024-25 season as an offensive quality control coach. He was hired as UCLA's offensive line coach in January of 2022, a position he held for two seasons, by new Northwestern offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
The 2023 Bruins entered the bowl season leading the Pac-12 in rushing offense with an average of 191.1 yards per game. Center Duke Clemens earned a second-team All-Pac-12 selection that year. Earlier in the year, two Bruin offensive linemen–Jon Gaines II and Atonio Mafi–were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, respectively.
Drevno served as USC's run game coordinator, pass protection coordinator and offensive line coach in 2019 and 2020, after holding the roles of run game coordinator, pass protection coordinator and running backs coach during the 2018 season. He coached 2021 first-round NFL selection Alijah Vera-Tucker and 2020 first-round pick Austin Jackson during his tenure with USC. Vera-Tucker also was voted the Pac-12's 2020 Morris Trophy winner as the league's top offensive lineman.
In 2020, USC's passing offense ranked 11th nationally, averaging 319.3 yards per game, and posted the 13th-best completion percentage in the country (.672). The Trojans ranked sixth nationally in passing offense (335.8 yards per game), fourth in completion percentage (.710) and 20th in total offense (455.4) during the 2019 season. Offensive tackle Austin Jackson was a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection.
In 2018 while Drevno served as running back's coach, Trojan running back Aca'Cedric Ware ranked 16th nationally and led the Pac-12 in rushing yards per carry (6.6), while USC's running backs as a unit combined for 1,743 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
From 2015-17, Drevno served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Michigan, where he worked with 2020 NFL first-rounder Cesar Ruiz. The Wolverines rushed for more than 2,000 yards in each season. In 2017, three players rushed for at least 500 yards, a program first since 1991. The 2016 Wolverines ranked third in the nation in red zone scoring percentage (.912) and finished 33rd nationally and second in the Big Ten in rushing offense (212.9).
While serving as USC's offensive line coach in 2014, the Trojans ranked fourth in the country in pass efficiency (165.4), 15th in pass offense (296.6) and 29th in total offense (457.5). The Trojans eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards as a team, while center Max Tuerk was named All-Pac-12 First Team and offensive guard-tackle Toa Lobendahn and offensive guard Viane Talamaivao each earned Freshman All-America First-Team accolades.
The previous three seasons, Drevno worked as offensive line coach in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers. Tackle Joe Staley and guard Mike Iupati made the Pro Bowl in 2013. In 2012, all five of the 49ers' offensive line starters were selected for the Pro Bowl, with Iupati earning a First Team All-Pro selection. The 49ers advanced to the playoffs in each of Drevno's seasons, including winning the NFC West title in his first two years and capturing the NFC championship in 2012, while finishing in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing offense each season.
Prior to joining the 49ers, Drevno was an assistant at Stanford for four seasons (2007-2010), the first two years handling the tight ends and the last two coaching the offensive line. Drevno's offensive linemen Jonathan Martin, David DeCastro, Chase Beeler and Chris Marinelli each earned All-Pac-10 honors during that time. In addition, DeCastro, a 2011 All-America selection, was the first-round choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2012 NFL Draft. Marinelli and running back Toby Gerhart earned All-America honors in 2009. Martin and Beeler were All-America selections in 2010.
Drevno was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the University of San Diego from 2003-06. The Toreros were named back-to-back NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major national champions and captured Pioneer League titles in 2005 and 2006. Under his direction, USD led the nation in total offense twice and also finished third and ninth in that category.
From 2000-02, Drevno was the offensive line coach at the University of Idaho for Vandal teams which featured some of the most productive offenses in the nation. Idaho ranked sixth in the nation in total offense (464.8) for the 2001 season and was eighth in 2000 (453.2). In 2000, running back Willie Alderson rated 12th nationally in all-purpose yards (165.0/g) and 19th in rushing yards per game (108.6). Drevno coached three offensive tackles during his term at Idaho who went on to play in the NFL in Jake Scott, Rick DeMulling and Patrick Venzke.
Drevno's other coaching stops included San Jose State (offensive line, 1999), UNLV (running backs, 1998) and Montana State (tight ends, 1993-95, and running backs, 1996, 1997). He embarked on his coaching journey as a student assistant at Cal State Fullerton, his alma mater, in 1991 and 1992.
Drevno started his collegiate playing career as an offensive lineman for two years (1987, 1988) at El Camino Junior College in Torrance, Calif., where he helped lead the Warriors to a national title in 1987 and then earned All-Mission League recognition the following year. He went on to play three seasons at Cal State Fullerton and started on the Titan offensive line for two seasons (1990, 1991).
Drevno earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton in 1992 after being an all-league player at South Torrance (Calif.) HS. He and his wife, Shannon, have two daughters, McKenna and Baylee, and a son, Zachary.
Drevno is a 33-year coaching veteran with experience at several Power Four schools, along with a three-year stint in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. During his career, he has guided six offensive linemen to first-round NFL draft selections (including five in the last six years), won a national championship at the college level, and coached in a Super Bowl.
Welcome to Northwestern Football, Tim Drevno!
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) January 2, 2026
With more than three decades of coaching experience, Drevno brings top-level college and NFL experience and a proven track record of developing NFL Draft talent. pic.twitter.com/q9fHLRmfTB
Most recently, Drevno joined the Texas program mid-season in 2025 as a consultant after helping Ohio State win a national title in the 2024-25 season as an offensive quality control coach. He was hired as UCLA's offensive line coach in January of 2022, a position he held for two seasons, by new Northwestern offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
The 2023 Bruins entered the bowl season leading the Pac-12 in rushing offense with an average of 191.1 yards per game. Center Duke Clemens earned a second-team All-Pac-12 selection that year. Earlier in the year, two Bruin offensive linemen–Jon Gaines II and Atonio Mafi–were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, respectively.
Drevno served as USC's run game coordinator, pass protection coordinator and offensive line coach in 2019 and 2020, after holding the roles of run game coordinator, pass protection coordinator and running backs coach during the 2018 season. He coached 2021 first-round NFL selection Alijah Vera-Tucker and 2020 first-round pick Austin Jackson during his tenure with USC. Vera-Tucker also was voted the Pac-12's 2020 Morris Trophy winner as the league's top offensive lineman.
In 2020, USC's passing offense ranked 11th nationally, averaging 319.3 yards per game, and posted the 13th-best completion percentage in the country (.672). The Trojans ranked sixth nationally in passing offense (335.8 yards per game), fourth in completion percentage (.710) and 20th in total offense (455.4) during the 2019 season. Offensive tackle Austin Jackson was a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection.
In 2018 while Drevno served as running back's coach, Trojan running back Aca'Cedric Ware ranked 16th nationally and led the Pac-12 in rushing yards per carry (6.6), while USC's running backs as a unit combined for 1,743 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
From 2015-17, Drevno served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Michigan, where he worked with 2020 NFL first-rounder Cesar Ruiz. The Wolverines rushed for more than 2,000 yards in each season. In 2017, three players rushed for at least 500 yards, a program first since 1991. The 2016 Wolverines ranked third in the nation in red zone scoring percentage (.912) and finished 33rd nationally and second in the Big Ten in rushing offense (212.9).
While serving as USC's offensive line coach in 2014, the Trojans ranked fourth in the country in pass efficiency (165.4), 15th in pass offense (296.6) and 29th in total offense (457.5). The Trojans eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards as a team, while center Max Tuerk was named All-Pac-12 First Team and offensive guard-tackle Toa Lobendahn and offensive guard Viane Talamaivao each earned Freshman All-America First-Team accolades.
The previous three seasons, Drevno worked as offensive line coach in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers. Tackle Joe Staley and guard Mike Iupati made the Pro Bowl in 2013. In 2012, all five of the 49ers' offensive line starters were selected for the Pro Bowl, with Iupati earning a First Team All-Pro selection. The 49ers advanced to the playoffs in each of Drevno's seasons, including winning the NFC West title in his first two years and capturing the NFC championship in 2012, while finishing in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing offense each season.
Prior to joining the 49ers, Drevno was an assistant at Stanford for four seasons (2007-2010), the first two years handling the tight ends and the last two coaching the offensive line. Drevno's offensive linemen Jonathan Martin, David DeCastro, Chase Beeler and Chris Marinelli each earned All-Pac-10 honors during that time. In addition, DeCastro, a 2011 All-America selection, was the first-round choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2012 NFL Draft. Marinelli and running back Toby Gerhart earned All-America honors in 2009. Martin and Beeler were All-America selections in 2010.
Drevno was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the University of San Diego from 2003-06. The Toreros were named back-to-back NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major national champions and captured Pioneer League titles in 2005 and 2006. Under his direction, USD led the nation in total offense twice and also finished third and ninth in that category.
From 2000-02, Drevno was the offensive line coach at the University of Idaho for Vandal teams which featured some of the most productive offenses in the nation. Idaho ranked sixth in the nation in total offense (464.8) for the 2001 season and was eighth in 2000 (453.2). In 2000, running back Willie Alderson rated 12th nationally in all-purpose yards (165.0/g) and 19th in rushing yards per game (108.6). Drevno coached three offensive tackles during his term at Idaho who went on to play in the NFL in Jake Scott, Rick DeMulling and Patrick Venzke.
Drevno's other coaching stops included San Jose State (offensive line, 1999), UNLV (running backs, 1998) and Montana State (tight ends, 1993-95, and running backs, 1996, 1997). He embarked on his coaching journey as a student assistant at Cal State Fullerton, his alma mater, in 1991 and 1992.
Drevno started his collegiate playing career as an offensive lineman for two years (1987, 1988) at El Camino Junior College in Torrance, Calif., where he helped lead the Warriors to a national title in 1987 and then earned All-Mission League recognition the following year. He went on to play three seasons at Cal State Fullerton and started on the Titan offensive line for two seasons (1990, 1991).
Drevno earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton in 1992 after being an all-league player at South Torrance (Calif.) HS. He and his wife, Shannon, have two daughters, McKenna and Baylee, and a son, Zachary.
Coaching Assignments
| Years | Position | Institution |
| 2025 | Offensive Consultant | Texas |
| 2024 | Offensive Quality Control | Ohio State |
| 2022-23 | Offensive Line | UCLA |
| 2021 | Offensive Assistant | UCLA |
| 2019-20 | Offensive Line Coach / Run Game Coordinator / Pass Protection Coordinator | USC |
| 2018 | Running Backs Coach / Run Game Coordinator / Pass Protection Coordinator | USC |
| 2015-17 | Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line Coach | Michigan |
| 2014 | Run Game Coordinator / Offensive Line Coach | USC |
| 2011-13 | Offensive Line Coach | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2009-10 | Offensive Line Coach | Stanford |
| 2007-08 | Tight Ends Coach | Stanford |
| 2003-06 | Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line Coach | San Diego |
| 2000-02 | Offensive Line Coach | Idaho |
| 1999 | Offensive Line Coach | San Jose State |
| 1998 | Running Backs Coach | UNLV |
| 1996-97 | Running Backs Coach | Montana State |
| 1993-95 | Tight Ends Coach | Montana State |
| 1991-92 | Student Assistant | Cal State Fullerton |
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