Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Randy Mascharka
Mark Criner Named EMU Football Assistant Coach
6/10/2013 3:45:00 PM | Football, E-Gridiron Group
Criner will coach the linebackers
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Mark Criner, the defensive coordinator for the University of Idaho football team for the past six seasons, has been named an assistant football coach at Eastern Michigan University, Head Coach Ron English announced today, June 10. He will serve as the team's linebackers coach.
Prior to his stint in Idaho, the 46-year-old Criner served as an assistant football coach at the University of Minnesota, Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Cincinnati, Portland State University and Utah State University.
As the defensive coordinator for the Vandals, Criner helped turn around Idaho from a 1-11 team in 2007 to an 8-5 record in 2009 that culminated in a 43-42 win over Bowling Green State University in the Humanitarian Bowl. The bowl appearance was just the second in school history.
Prior to his arrival in Moscow, Criner spent the 2006 campaign as the linebacker coach and special teams coordinator at the University of Minnesota.
Criner, who coached the Middle Tennessee State secondary in 2004, was elevated to defensive coordinator in February 2005. In taking over the Blue Raider secondary in 2004, Criner inherited a unit that mainly played three freshmen and two newcomers. The group showed a lot of improvement and accounted for four of the team's seven interceptions.
He spent two seasons at Cincinnati under Head Coach Rick Minter. He coached the Bearcat linebackers in 2002 and 2003, serving as the team's co-defensive coordinator during the 2003 campaign.
In 2003, the Bearcats ranked 27th nationally in total defense after giving up just 333.0 yards a game and were 28th in pass efficiency defense. Cincinnati ranked 21st in total defense in 2002 and finished 17th in pass efficiency defense.
A 20-year coaching veteran, Criner learned the finer points of coaching from his father, Jim, who had head coaching tenures at Boise State and Iowa State along with a stint in NFL Europe.
A 1990 graduate of Boise State with a degree in physical education, Criner played one year at Iowa State (1986) and four at BSU (1987-90).
Criner began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Utah State, working with the secondary in 1991 and the defensive line in 1992. He also worked with special teams both years.
He moved to Portland State in 1993, beginning a seven-year coaching stint. He started as secondary coach and special teams coordinator before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 1997.
While at Portland State, Criner worked with three linebackers - Sammy Burroughs, Rick Cruz and Jeff Bockert - who went on to sign NFL contracts.
Criner left Portland State in 2000 to serve as defensive coordinator with the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL, a position he held until the league folded after one season. In 2001, the Outlaws ranked first in the league in scoring defense and No. 1 in total defense. Criner also headed up the defensive draft for the Outlaws during his brief stay.
Criner and his wife, Angela, have four children: Madison (18), Calin (15) and twins Jackson and Brooklyn (9).
Prior to his stint in Idaho, the 46-year-old Criner served as an assistant football coach at the University of Minnesota, Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Cincinnati, Portland State University and Utah State University.
As the defensive coordinator for the Vandals, Criner helped turn around Idaho from a 1-11 team in 2007 to an 8-5 record in 2009 that culminated in a 43-42 win over Bowling Green State University in the Humanitarian Bowl. The bowl appearance was just the second in school history.
Prior to his arrival in Moscow, Criner spent the 2006 campaign as the linebacker coach and special teams coordinator at the University of Minnesota.
Criner, who coached the Middle Tennessee State secondary in 2004, was elevated to defensive coordinator in February 2005. In taking over the Blue Raider secondary in 2004, Criner inherited a unit that mainly played three freshmen and two newcomers. The group showed a lot of improvement and accounted for four of the team's seven interceptions.
He spent two seasons at Cincinnati under Head Coach Rick Minter. He coached the Bearcat linebackers in 2002 and 2003, serving as the team's co-defensive coordinator during the 2003 campaign.
In 2003, the Bearcats ranked 27th nationally in total defense after giving up just 333.0 yards a game and were 28th in pass efficiency defense. Cincinnati ranked 21st in total defense in 2002 and finished 17th in pass efficiency defense.
A 20-year coaching veteran, Criner learned the finer points of coaching from his father, Jim, who had head coaching tenures at Boise State and Iowa State along with a stint in NFL Europe.
A 1990 graduate of Boise State with a degree in physical education, Criner played one year at Iowa State (1986) and four at BSU (1987-90).
Criner began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Utah State, working with the secondary in 1991 and the defensive line in 1992. He also worked with special teams both years.
He moved to Portland State in 1993, beginning a seven-year coaching stint. He started as secondary coach and special teams coordinator before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 1997.
While at Portland State, Criner worked with three linebackers - Sammy Burroughs, Rick Cruz and Jeff Bockert - who went on to sign NFL contracts.
Criner left Portland State in 2000 to serve as defensive coordinator with the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL, a position he held until the league folded after one season. In 2001, the Outlaws ranked first in the league in scoring defense and No. 1 in total defense. Criner also headed up the defensive draft for the Outlaws during his brief stay.
Criner and his wife, Angela, have four children: Madison (18), Calin (15) and twins Jackson and Brooklyn (9).
The Mark Criner File
Name: Mark Criner
Born: Dec. 18, 1966 - Fresno, Calif.
High School: Ames H.S. - Ames, Iowa
College: Boise State University - Bachelor's degree in physical education - 1990
Family: Wife-Angela; Children-Madison, Calin, Jackson and Brooklyn
Born: Dec. 18, 1966 - Fresno, Calif.
High School: Ames H.S. - Ames, Iowa
College: Boise State University - Bachelor's degree in physical education - 1990
Family: Wife-Angela; Children-Madison, Calin, Jackson and Brooklyn
Coaching Experience
Year School Position
2007-12 University of Idaho Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coord./LB
2006 University of Minnesota Assistant Coach/Linebackers
2005 Middle Tennessee State University Assistant Coach/Defensive Coord.
2004 Middle Tennessee State University Assistant Coach/Secondary
2003 University of Cincinnati Assistant Coach/Co-Defensive Coord.
2002 University of Cincinnati Assistant Coach/Linebackers
2001 Las Vegas Outlaws (XFL) Assistant Coach/Defensive Coord.
2000-01 Portland State University Assistant Coach/Defensive Coord.
1993-97 Portland State University Assistant Coach/Secondary/Special Teams Coord.
1992-93 Utah State University Assistant Coach/Secondary/Defensive Line
1991-92 Utah State University Graduate Assistant Coach
2007-12 University of Idaho Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coord./LB
2006 University of Minnesota Assistant Coach/Linebackers
2005 Middle Tennessee State University Assistant Coach/Defensive Coord.
2004 Middle Tennessee State University Assistant Coach/Secondary
2003 University of Cincinnati Assistant Coach/Co-Defensive Coord.
2002 University of Cincinnati Assistant Coach/Linebackers
2001 Las Vegas Outlaws (XFL) Assistant Coach/Defensive Coord.
2000-01 Portland State University Assistant Coach/Defensive Coord.
1993-97 Portland State University Assistant Coach/Secondary/Special Teams Coord.
1992-93 Utah State University Assistant Coach/Secondary/Defensive Line
1991-92 Utah State University Graduate Assistant Coach
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