Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan Football Promotes Kasey Teegardin to Assistant Head Coach
7/23/2026 4:45:00 PM | Football
Teegardin is in his third year with Head Coach Chris Creighton and the Eagles
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University Head Football Coach Chris Creighton announced today, July 23, the promotion of Kasey Teegardin to Assistant Head Coach. Earlier this offseason, Teegardin was elevated to Co-Defensive Coordinator, a role he shares with Tate Omli, while continuing to coach the Eagles' defensive ends.
The promotion comes as Teegardin enters his third season in Ypsilanti after arriving from Indiana, where he spent 10 seasons in a variety of coaching roles. Entering his 19th season as a collegiate coach, Teegardin has served as a coordinator in 10 seasons, including nine years at the Division I level and seven seasons coordinating in the FBS.
"Coach Teegardin has made an incredibly positive impact on our program in his three years here," said Creighton. "As our Special Teams Coordinator, he was in front of the team a lot and has developed relationships with both sides of the ball as a result. He sees the big picture and is respected by both our team and staff. He will be a phenomenal head coach one day, and I appreciate his leadership."
"I am both grateful and honored that Coach Creighton has given me this new opportunity to continue to lead under his mentorship," added Teegardin. "The goal will never change. It is about serving our players, our staff, and our program to be our absolute best."
Teegardin's influence was evident throughout the 2025 season. Coaching the defensive ends while coordinating special teams, he helped develop one of the Mid-American Conference's most productive young position groups. Freshman Quincy Byas emerged as one of the league's top newcomers, finishing with 22 tackles, a team-high six tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, and five quarterback hurries. Carter Evans added 36 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry. Fellow freshman Hector Gonzalez contributed 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, one pass breakup, and three quarterback hurries, while Ronn Hardin delivered one of the season's defining plays with a game-clinching sack on the final snap against Bowling Green.
On special teams, Teegardin guided one of the conference's most consistent units. Punter Mitchell Tomasek concluded his career as a three-time All-MAC selection after averaging 46.2 yards per punt in 2025, ranking second in the conference and 12th nationally while establishing new EMU single-season and career punting average records. Kicker Rudy Kessinger converted all 28 extra-point attempts and connected on 17 field goals, finishing among the MAC leaders in both field goals per game and scoring.
During his first season with the Eagles in 2024, Teegardin coached Special Teams MVP Jesús Gómez to one of the finest kicking seasons in program history. Gómez connected on 20-of-25 field goal attempts, including a school-record 57-yard field goal at Washington, while earning Lou Groza Award consideration. Defensively, EMU ranked 45th nationally in third-down defense, 56th in red zone defense, and 61st in sacks.
Prior to arriving at Eastern Michigan, Teegardin spent a decade at Indiana, where he coached safeties, defensive backs, outside linebackers, and coordinated special teams. During his tenure, he mentored 10 All-Big Ten selections and helped develop multiple All-Americans, including return specialist Jaylin Lucas, the 2022 Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year. Indiana's special teams units consistently ranked among the nation's best, including leading the FBS with four blocked punts in 2021 and finishing fifth nationally in ESPN's special teams efficiency rankings during the Hoosiers' 2020 season, which concluded with a No. 12 national ranking in the Associated Press Poll.
Before Indiana, Teegardin coached at Valparaiso, Northwood, and his alma mater, the University of Charleston. In 2010, at age 24, he became the NCAA's youngest defensive coordinator while leading Charleston's defense.
A native of Palm City, Fla., Teegardin earned his bachelor's degree in sport management from the University of Charleston in 2007 before completing his master's degree in business administration in 2008. A former team captain and linebacker for the Golden Eagles, he also played baseball during his first two collegiate seasons.
Teegardin and his wife, Monica, have one son, Kayden.
The promotion comes as Teegardin enters his third season in Ypsilanti after arriving from Indiana, where he spent 10 seasons in a variety of coaching roles. Entering his 19th season as a collegiate coach, Teegardin has served as a coordinator in 10 seasons, including nine years at the Division I level and seven seasons coordinating in the FBS.
"Coach Teegardin has made an incredibly positive impact on our program in his three years here," said Creighton. "As our Special Teams Coordinator, he was in front of the team a lot and has developed relationships with both sides of the ball as a result. He sees the big picture and is respected by both our team and staff. He will be a phenomenal head coach one day, and I appreciate his leadership."
"I am both grateful and honored that Coach Creighton has given me this new opportunity to continue to lead under his mentorship," added Teegardin. "The goal will never change. It is about serving our players, our staff, and our program to be our absolute best."
Teegardin's influence was evident throughout the 2025 season. Coaching the defensive ends while coordinating special teams, he helped develop one of the Mid-American Conference's most productive young position groups. Freshman Quincy Byas emerged as one of the league's top newcomers, finishing with 22 tackles, a team-high six tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, and five quarterback hurries. Carter Evans added 36 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry. Fellow freshman Hector Gonzalez contributed 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, one pass breakup, and three quarterback hurries, while Ronn Hardin delivered one of the season's defining plays with a game-clinching sack on the final snap against Bowling Green.
On special teams, Teegardin guided one of the conference's most consistent units. Punter Mitchell Tomasek concluded his career as a three-time All-MAC selection after averaging 46.2 yards per punt in 2025, ranking second in the conference and 12th nationally while establishing new EMU single-season and career punting average records. Kicker Rudy Kessinger converted all 28 extra-point attempts and connected on 17 field goals, finishing among the MAC leaders in both field goals per game and scoring.
During his first season with the Eagles in 2024, Teegardin coached Special Teams MVP Jesús Gómez to one of the finest kicking seasons in program history. Gómez connected on 20-of-25 field goal attempts, including a school-record 57-yard field goal at Washington, while earning Lou Groza Award consideration. Defensively, EMU ranked 45th nationally in third-down defense, 56th in red zone defense, and 61st in sacks.
Prior to arriving at Eastern Michigan, Teegardin spent a decade at Indiana, where he coached safeties, defensive backs, outside linebackers, and coordinated special teams. During his tenure, he mentored 10 All-Big Ten selections and helped develop multiple All-Americans, including return specialist Jaylin Lucas, the 2022 Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year. Indiana's special teams units consistently ranked among the nation's best, including leading the FBS with four blocked punts in 2021 and finishing fifth nationally in ESPN's special teams efficiency rankings during the Hoosiers' 2020 season, which concluded with a No. 12 national ranking in the Associated Press Poll.
Before Indiana, Teegardin coached at Valparaiso, Northwood, and his alma mater, the University of Charleston. In 2010, at age 24, he became the NCAA's youngest defensive coordinator while leading Charleston's defense.
A native of Palm City, Fla., Teegardin earned his bachelor's degree in sport management from the University of Charleston in 2007 before completing his master's degree in business administration in 2008. A former team captain and linebacker for the Golden Eagles, he also played baseball during his first two collegiate seasons.
Teegardin and his wife, Monica, have one son, Kayden.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
K
/ Football
P
/ FootballThursday, July 23
Thursday, July 23
Thursday, July 23
Wednesday, July 22