Michigan State hires former Stanford defensive line coach, Diron Reynolds
East Lansing, Mich. – A 20-day search for a new defensive line coach at Michigan State ended on Wednesday with the Spartans’ hiring of former Stanford defensive line coach Diron Reynolds.
Reynolds replaces Marco Coleman, who left Michigan State on Jan. 5 to return to his alma mater, Georgia Tech, after one season with the Spartans.
Reynolds joins the Spartans after coaching the defensive line at Stanford from 2016-22.
He also had stops at Stanford (2014) and Oklahoma (2015) after a 13-year stint in the NFL with the Colts, Dolphins and Vikings.
He served as a defensive quality control coach with the Indianapolis Colts (2002-2006), spent one year as defensive line coach for the Miami Dolphins (2007) and five years as assistant defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings (2009-13).
“I’ve known Diron Reynolds for more than 15 years – he’s one of the best coaches in the business,” Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker said in a press release at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. “He has an impressive pedigree having worked for some of the top coaches in all of football, including Tony Dungy, Leslie Frazier, David Shaw and Jim Caldwell, and has coached in both the Super Bowl and College Football Playoff.
“He also has developed players at the highest level, from mentoring future NFL Draft picks to working daily with Pro Bowlers in the NFL.”
While at Stanford, Reynolds coached four defensive linemen who became NFL Draft picks, including Solomon Thomas, who was the highest defensive player drafted in school history at No. 3 overall in 2017 by the San Francisco 49ers.
Reynolds was a defensive quality control coach in Indianapolis when the Colts won Super Bowl XLI in 2006-07.
“Diron is a family man with great character who will be relentless in leading and motivating our players on and off the field. I’m thrilled about this hire and can’t wait to start working with him.”
Reynolds is a native of Aiken, S.C. He earned four letters as a linebacker at Wake Forest (1990-93).
