GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Mike Iezzi has been named defensive football coordinator at Tusculum College announced Pioneer head coach Frankie DeBusk.

Iezzi (pronounced eye-ezzy) has accumulated a wealth of college and professional coaching experience at all levels, including 16 years as defensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator.

Along with his defensive coordinator duties, Iezzi will mentor the Tusculum linebackers. Kevin Weston, who served as TC's defensive coordinator the last two years, will once again coach the Pioneer defensive line, while continuing to serve as assistant head coach and the program's strength and conditioning coordinator.

Long-time defensive line coach Steve McGill has also announced his retirement after eight seasons with the Pioneers and wrapping up a stellar 31-year collegiate coaching career.

Iezzi comes to Tusculum from East Stroudsburg University where he coached the defensive line this past season. While at the East Stroudsburg, Pa. school, he mentored two All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference performers.

Iezzi, a native of Camden, N.J., served 11 years at NCAA Division II Pace University, including his last five seasons as head coach (2005-2009). In 2009, Iezzi's Pace team finished first in the Northeast-10 in pass defense and 10th nationally as three members of that defense garnered All-Conference First Team distinction as the squad established four school records that year.

"Defensively we needed to be better and I was looking for someone that had an established plan and had a track record of success and Mike Iezzi is the fit I was looking for," said DeBusk. "Not only does he bring a wealth of experience to our defensive side if the ball, he is a very high quality person and his experiences as a head coach at the Division II level will assist our overall football program. I am very excited about spring practice this semester to see our new scheme and watch our defense grow."

In 2008, Iezzi guided the Setters to one of their best seasons in nearly a decade with five All-Conference selections and an All-Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Star Team performer. Pace also saw an increase in offensive production by nearly 70 percent, while establishing four school records.

Four Pace players garnered All-Conference honors in 2007, including Joseph Streany, who was named the All-Northeast 10 Defensive Player of the Year after leading the nation with 147 tackles. Streany garnered First Team All-America honors and would later play overseas in the European Football League.

In 2006, Iezzi's team continued to grow into one of the best defensive units in the country as Pace led the nation in pass efficiency defense, turnover margin, turnovers gained, while also ranking third in interceptions (25) and fumble recoveries (17). Overall, the defense finished 34th in the country, while allowing 16.8 points per game. The Setters also ranked fourth in the league in total defense, allowing just 269 yards per contest, including 134 passing yards per game (2nd in All-Northeast 10).

In his first season as Pace's skipper, Iezzi coached three All-Northeast 10 performers, including one All-American, and a defense that ranked second in the conference in total defense and 28th in rushing defense.

"My family and I are very excited about this opportunity to become part of the Tusculum College family," said Iezzi. "I am looking forward to a future at Tusculum where I can use my coaching experience to inspire greatness in the lives of young men. I am humbled to be part of such a great staff under the mentorship of legendary Head Coach Frankie DeBusk. Some of my goals for the defense are to help them to be the best they can be. We will establish this through hard work, being fundamentally sound, and creating an atmosphere that produces success through great effort. We will work hard to be ranked No. 1 in every defensive category. Our defense will be known for being physical, well prepared, and the best tackling unit in the conference."

Prior to taking over as Pace's head coach, Iezzi served six years as the program's defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. In 2002, Pace led the Northeast-10 Conference in pass defense and in 2000 the Setters posted one of the top return units in Division II football. Iezzi's 2000 defensive unit posted three shutouts, a program record, while their points allowed were the lowest in Pace history. In 2004, Pace ranked 18th in Division II rush defense.

Prior to joining the Pace football staff, Iezzi served as defensive coordinator at St. Peter's College. Prior to working at St. Peter's, he spent seven years on the staff of his alma mater, Kean College. He began his coaching career in 1989 as Kean's outside linebacker coach and junior varsity coach. He mentored the defensive line in 1990 and the inside linebackers in 1991 before being named the defensive and recruiting coordinator in 1992. As defensive coordinator, Iezzi's defense led the Cougars to their first-ever postseason victory, becoming Southwest Bowl Champions in 1994. In 1995 he was promoted to the position of associate head coach.

Iezzi earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology from Kean in 1991. He was an All-Conference linebacker for Kean, and was the team captain from 1985-1988, including 1987 as the Cougars captured the New Jersey Athletic Conference championship for the first time in school history. He was also member of the Kean College baseball team that won the ECAC title in 1986 and would advance to the NCAA Playoffs in 1987.

Iezzi is a member of the American Football Coaches Association and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Mike is married to the former Laurie Testa of Ringwood, N.J. and they are the parents of one daughter, Sabrina (12), and two sons, Nicholas (9) and Brandon (5).

- TC -