Eastern Michigan Athletics
Omli and Teegardin Promoted to Co-Defensive Coordinators for EMU Football
12/22/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
Each has previously served as a defensive coordinator at the college level
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Head Football Coach Chris Creighton announced Monday, Dec. 22, the promotion of Tate Omli and Kasey Teegardin to co-defensive coordinators. Both bring coordinator experience from previous stops and offer continuity within the program. Omli enters his fourth season in Ypsilanti after spending three years as defensive coordinator at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. Teegardin begins his third year at EMU and previously served as a defensive coordinator at the University of Charleston in West Virginia.
"In searching for the next leader of our defense, I knew I had to find the absolute best," said Creighton. "I challenged Coach Omli and Coach Teegardin to work together on what they thought would be the perfect solution for our defense. After talking with people about our opportunity and after Coach Omli and Teegardin presented their philosophy and plan, I knew we already had the absolute best on our staff. They accentuate each other's strengths and know our personnel. They believe deeply in our program and are the kind of people we want and have here. I am so excited for them to lead our defense. It will have a different look and a different feel. January can't get here soon enough."
"Kristin and I could not be more excited and thankful for the opportunity Coach Creighton has given us," said Omli. "Eastern Michigan means a lot to our family, and we are eager to put in the work required to lead the defense."
"My wife, Monica, and I are extremely thankful for the opportunity to work with an incredible group of young men alongside our amazing defensive staff," Teegardin mentioned. "I believe in Coach Creighton and his program, Scott Wetherbee, and all of the support from Eastern Michigan University. I couldn't be more thrilled to lead this defense alongside a great coach and friend, Coach Tate Omli. Together, I know we will tackle this post and make sure our defense is ready to attack."
Omli joined EMU in 2023 after three seasons as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Hutchinson C.C., where his teams went 28-3, won two league titles, reached multiple national championship games, and captured the NJCAA National Championship in 2020-21. Omli also has coaching experience at Angelo State, East Carolina, and Murray State, and previously served as a graduate assistant at EMU. As a player, he started at Butler Community College, earning second-team NJCAA All-American honors in 2012, before transferring to Northern Iowa.
In 2025, Omli's players made significant contributions on defense. Bryce Llewellyn led the team with 103 tackles, two interceptions, and 5.0 tackles-for-loss, earning all-conference honors. Barry Manning contributed 73 tackles and 5.5 tackles-for-loss in a hybrid safety-linebacker role, while Jason Marshall and Juan Salsa added 64 and 34 tackles, respectively. Omli also helped safeties Cameron Smith and Quentavius Scandrett achieve career seasons, with Smith doubling his tackle total from 2022 and recording his first interception, and Scandrett totaling 59 tackles with two interceptions.
Omli's coaching success at Hutchinson included limiting opponents to 13.1 points and 265.7 yards per game in 2022, and producing 12 all-conference players and five NJCAA All-Americans in 2021. Earlier in his career, he coached All-Ohio Valley Conference players at Murray State and, as a graduate assistant, helped EMU reach the 2016 Bahamas Bowl.
A native of Brookville, Kan., Omli holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from Northern Iowa and a master's in sport management from EMU.
Teegardin joined EMU in 2024 after 10 seasons at Indiana University and has more than 18 years of college-level coaching experience, including stints at Indiana, Valparaiso, Northwood, and Charleston. Teegardin was once the youngest defensive coordinator in the NCAA at age 24 and has a history of developing standout players on both defense and special teams.
In 2025, Teegardin's defensive line produced key contributors, including Carter Evans with 36 tackles and 5.5 tackles-for-loss, and freshman Quincy Byas with a team-high six tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks. Ronn Hardin made a critical sack to secure a win over Bowling Green. His special teams units also excelled, highlighted by punter Mitchell Tomasek, who averaged 46.2 yards per punt, ranking 12th nationally, and kicker Rudy Kessinger, who converted all 28 extra points and 17 of 23 field goals, ranking third in the MAC.
Teegardin's tenure at Indiana included mentoring 10 All-Big Ten performers and leading special teams units that blocked 10 kicks over four years. Notable accomplishments include kick return specialist Jaylin Lucas earning All-America honors in 2022, punter James Evans setting school records, and multiple nationally ranked special teams performances over numerous seasons. His defensive units at Indiana consistently ranked among the FBS in key metrics, including third-down conversion defense, red-zone defense, and sacks.
A native of Palm City, Fla., Teegardin played linebacker at Charleston, where he also earned team captain honors. He holds a bachelor's degree in sport management and an MBA from Charleston.
Omli and Teegardin step into the roles following the departure of Ben Needham, who spent three seasons leading the EMU defense. Needham leaves the program to pursue an opportunity outside the coaching profession.
"I hired Ben back in 2007," Creighton added. "We have worked together at each place I've been since that time, including the past eight years here at Eastern Michigan. They don't come any brighter, more loyal, and more caring than Ben. He is super talented in so many ways, and whatever he chooses to do next, he will be highly successful. We already miss him."
Eastern Michigan's defense flipped the 2025 season narrative with a sharp late surge. In the final stretch, the Eagles held Bowling Green to 259 yards, Nov. 8, and Ball State to 225 yards, Nov. 15, the first time since 2018 that EMU has held back-to-back opponents under 260 yards. Furthermore, EMU's defense allowed opponents to throw for more than 160 yards just once in its final six contests of the year.
The improvement was clearly evident in the numbers. Opponents averaged 494.6 yards per game through the first five contests. From Oct. 4 through Nov. 25, that figure dropped to 360.3 yards per game, a 27.2 percent decline. Sacks rose from 0.4 per game early to 2.0 per game over the final seven games.
Eastern Michigan posted substantial numbers in several areas during the 2025 season. The group finished first in the MAC in fourth down offense at 61.1 percent. The team also led the league in sacks allowed (0.92 per game) and tackles for loss allowed (3.75 per game). Red zone offense closed at 94.6 percent, ranking second nationally and first in the MAC. The passing offense ranked second in the league at 234.8 yards per game. Total offense ranked third in the conference at 377.3 yards per game. The defense held opponents to 184.2 passing yards per game, ranking fourth in the MAC and 24th nationally. Special teams delivered strong production with a top-three MAC finish in net punting at 40.0 yards.
"In searching for the next leader of our defense, I knew I had to find the absolute best," said Creighton. "I challenged Coach Omli and Coach Teegardin to work together on what they thought would be the perfect solution for our defense. After talking with people about our opportunity and after Coach Omli and Teegardin presented their philosophy and plan, I knew we already had the absolute best on our staff. They accentuate each other's strengths and know our personnel. They believe deeply in our program and are the kind of people we want and have here. I am so excited for them to lead our defense. It will have a different look and a different feel. January can't get here soon enough."
"Kristin and I could not be more excited and thankful for the opportunity Coach Creighton has given us," said Omli. "Eastern Michigan means a lot to our family, and we are eager to put in the work required to lead the defense."
"My wife, Monica, and I are extremely thankful for the opportunity to work with an incredible group of young men alongside our amazing defensive staff," Teegardin mentioned. "I believe in Coach Creighton and his program, Scott Wetherbee, and all of the support from Eastern Michigan University. I couldn't be more thrilled to lead this defense alongside a great coach and friend, Coach Tate Omli. Together, I know we will tackle this post and make sure our defense is ready to attack."
Omli joined EMU in 2023 after three seasons as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Hutchinson C.C., where his teams went 28-3, won two league titles, reached multiple national championship games, and captured the NJCAA National Championship in 2020-21. Omli also has coaching experience at Angelo State, East Carolina, and Murray State, and previously served as a graduate assistant at EMU. As a player, he started at Butler Community College, earning second-team NJCAA All-American honors in 2012, before transferring to Northern Iowa.
In 2025, Omli's players made significant contributions on defense. Bryce Llewellyn led the team with 103 tackles, two interceptions, and 5.0 tackles-for-loss, earning all-conference honors. Barry Manning contributed 73 tackles and 5.5 tackles-for-loss in a hybrid safety-linebacker role, while Jason Marshall and Juan Salsa added 64 and 34 tackles, respectively. Omli also helped safeties Cameron Smith and Quentavius Scandrett achieve career seasons, with Smith doubling his tackle total from 2022 and recording his first interception, and Scandrett totaling 59 tackles with two interceptions.
Omli's coaching success at Hutchinson included limiting opponents to 13.1 points and 265.7 yards per game in 2022, and producing 12 all-conference players and five NJCAA All-Americans in 2021. Earlier in his career, he coached All-Ohio Valley Conference players at Murray State and, as a graduate assistant, helped EMU reach the 2016 Bahamas Bowl.
A native of Brookville, Kan., Omli holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from Northern Iowa and a master's in sport management from EMU.
Teegardin joined EMU in 2024 after 10 seasons at Indiana University and has more than 18 years of college-level coaching experience, including stints at Indiana, Valparaiso, Northwood, and Charleston. Teegardin was once the youngest defensive coordinator in the NCAA at age 24 and has a history of developing standout players on both defense and special teams.
In 2025, Teegardin's defensive line produced key contributors, including Carter Evans with 36 tackles and 5.5 tackles-for-loss, and freshman Quincy Byas with a team-high six tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks. Ronn Hardin made a critical sack to secure a win over Bowling Green. His special teams units also excelled, highlighted by punter Mitchell Tomasek, who averaged 46.2 yards per punt, ranking 12th nationally, and kicker Rudy Kessinger, who converted all 28 extra points and 17 of 23 field goals, ranking third in the MAC.
Teegardin's tenure at Indiana included mentoring 10 All-Big Ten performers and leading special teams units that blocked 10 kicks over four years. Notable accomplishments include kick return specialist Jaylin Lucas earning All-America honors in 2022, punter James Evans setting school records, and multiple nationally ranked special teams performances over numerous seasons. His defensive units at Indiana consistently ranked among the FBS in key metrics, including third-down conversion defense, red-zone defense, and sacks.
A native of Palm City, Fla., Teegardin played linebacker at Charleston, where he also earned team captain honors. He holds a bachelor's degree in sport management and an MBA from Charleston.
Omli and Teegardin step into the roles following the departure of Ben Needham, who spent three seasons leading the EMU defense. Needham leaves the program to pursue an opportunity outside the coaching profession.
"I hired Ben back in 2007," Creighton added. "We have worked together at each place I've been since that time, including the past eight years here at Eastern Michigan. They don't come any brighter, more loyal, and more caring than Ben. He is super talented in so many ways, and whatever he chooses to do next, he will be highly successful. We already miss him."
Eastern Michigan's defense flipped the 2025 season narrative with a sharp late surge. In the final stretch, the Eagles held Bowling Green to 259 yards, Nov. 8, and Ball State to 225 yards, Nov. 15, the first time since 2018 that EMU has held back-to-back opponents under 260 yards. Furthermore, EMU's defense allowed opponents to throw for more than 160 yards just once in its final six contests of the year.
The improvement was clearly evident in the numbers. Opponents averaged 494.6 yards per game through the first five contests. From Oct. 4 through Nov. 25, that figure dropped to 360.3 yards per game, a 27.2 percent decline. Sacks rose from 0.4 per game early to 2.0 per game over the final seven games.
Eastern Michigan posted substantial numbers in several areas during the 2025 season. The group finished first in the MAC in fourth down offense at 61.1 percent. The team also led the league in sacks allowed (0.92 per game) and tackles for loss allowed (3.75 per game). Red zone offense closed at 94.6 percent, ranking second nationally and first in the MAC. The passing offense ranked second in the league at 234.8 yards per game. Total offense ranked third in the conference at 377.3 yards per game. The defense held opponents to 184.2 passing yards per game, ranking fourth in the MAC and 24th nationally. Special teams delivered strong production with a top-three MAC finish in net punting at 40.0 yards.
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