Nick Benedetto
DC/Safeties, NIU
About this speaker
Illinois native Nick Benedetto, a successful position coach and defensive coordinator at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and NCAA Division II levels for the past nine years, joined the Northern Illinois University football staff as co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach in the spring of 2022.
In his first season as defensive coordinator, NIU almost doubled its turnovers forced from 2021 with 20 in 12 games in 2022. The Huskies went from a -6 turnover margin in 2021 to a +4. Four Huskies earned All-MAC honors on defense led by second team selections in defensive tackle Devonte O'Malley and safety CJ Brown. Defensive End Michael Kennedy and defensive tackle James Ester were named to the third team.