McKane Added as Defensive Line Coach for Leathernecks
Former BYU assistant replaces Wildeman
MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois University head football coach Don Patterson has announced the hiring of Steve McKane as defensive line coach.
A Mesa, Ariz., native, McKane is coming off of a two-year stint as the assistant defensive line coach at BYU, serving as a graduate assistant under defensive coordinator and head coach Bronco Mendenhall. The 2005 Cougars recorded their first regular-season winning record since 2001 and earned a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl to face California. The Cougar defense allowed just 147.8 rushing yards per game and recorded 23 sacks, both of which ranked among the top-five marks in the Mountain West Conference.
"Steve is a perfect fit for our defense," said Patterson. "Based on his two years at BYU, he already knows the intricacies of our schemes. In addition, he is without a question an outstanding role model for our student-athletes."
McKane started for two seasons at center for the University of Utah, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Excercise and Sports Science. Before arriving at BYU to earn his master's degree in exercise science, he coached for two seasons as the defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and offensive line coach at Independence High School in Glendale, Ariz., where he was also a physical education teacher.
"Steve is a bright young coach with a great work ethic," said Mendenhall. "He has an excellent knowledge of defense and will be one of the great upcoming coaches."
McKane and his wife, Kami, are the parents of two sons, Parker and Klarke.
He replaces former defensive line coach Parker Wildeman, who took a similar position at Georgia Southern University.