Daniel Bullocks Named EMU Football Assistant Coach

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Daniel Bullocks, the secondary coach for the University of Northern Iowa football team for the past three seasons, has been named an assistant football coach at Eastern Michigan University, Head Coach Chris Creighton announced today, Jan. 19. He will serve as the team's cornerbacks coach.

"We are fired up about Coach Bullocks being an Eastern Michigan Eagle," exclaimed Creighton. "He has played and coached at a very high level and he is in total alignment with our values as a program. He is an expert who cares about the guys he coaches. Our football program just got better."

In three seasons at UNI, Bullocks helped the Panthers post 21 victories while spending a combined 23 weeks ranked in one of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) polls.

During the 2014 campaign, Bullocks and the Panthers posted a 9-5 record as they advanced to the FCS Playoffs for the 17th time in school history. Northern Iowa's biggest win of the year came when the Panthers ended eventual national champion North Dakota State's 33-game winning streak that dated back to the 2012 campaign.

Bullocks' secondary picked off 17 passes on the year as three players were recognized by the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) for all-conference accolades. Overall, Northern Iowa finished as the nation's leader in sacks (51), while also ranking third in third-down conversion defense (72%), fourth in turnover margin (31), seventh in rushing defense, 10th in total defense and 12th in interceptions.

In 2014, strong safety Tim Kilfoy was named CollegeSportsMadness' National Defensive Player of the Week for the period ending Nov. 1, while free safety Ray Mitchell set the school record for career interception return yards with 270.

Bullocks also oversaw the kick return unit, which led the FCS in kickoff returns at 26.3 yards per attempt. His punt return squad also led the conference and ranked third nationally in blocks with four on the season.

He helped coach a young secondary and safety group during the 2013 season, seeing newcomers Tate Omli and Mitchell shine. Both Omli and Mitchell earned All-MVFC Newcomer team recognition with Mitchell also picking up All-MVFC Honorable Mention status. The Panthers finished ranked eighth in scoring defense and 19th in total defense.

Mitchell and Omli were both named National Defensive Player of the Week during the 2013 season under the direction of Bullocks, seeing Mitchell break the UNI-Dome record for interception return yards against Western Illinois. Bullocks' punt return unit closed the campaign ranked second in the FCS with three blocked punts.

Bullocks, who worked with the cornerbacks in 2012, helped senior Wilmot Wellington rack up a team-high 85 tackles and Varmah Sonie earn All-MVFC Second Team honors. Return specialist Carlos Anderson also picked up AFCA FCS Coaches All-American Team accolades.

Bullocks began his coaching career after playing safety in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions for four years. He was drafted in the second round by the Lions in 2006 and played for the franchise until 2010. Bullocks led all National Football Conference (NFC) rookies with 70 tackles, 54 solo tackles and four pass deflections in 2006.

In 2008, he was voted for the Ed Block Courage Award for the Lions and was the Chuck Hughes Most Improved Player. He finished his career with 168 tackles.

Bullocks played college football for the University of Nebraska where he appeared in 48 games with 33 starts. He finished his career with 226 tackles, 22 pass breakups and eight interceptions. He was named to the Second Team All-Big 12, Big 12 Fall Commissioner's Academic Roll, the Lott Trophy Watch List and the Jim Thorpe Trophy Award Watch List in 2005.

A native of Chattanooga, Tenn, Bullocks is the founder of the Bullocks Foundation, which mentors and establishes scholarships for student-athletes to further their education in his hometown. Bullocks earned his degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in sociology in 2005.

Bullocks has a wife, Vanessa, and three daughters: Bella, Thalia and Starlet.

The Daniel Bullocks File
Name:	Daniel Bullocks
High School:	Hixson H.S. - Chattanooga, Tenn.
College:	University of Nebraska - Bachelor's degree in sociology - 2005

Coaching/Playing Experience
Year	School/Company	Position
2012-14	University of Northern Iowa	Assistant Coach/Secondary
2006–10	Detroit Lions	Professional Football Player
2001-05	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	Student-Athlete

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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