Position Information Position Information

Posting Number S-3549 Position Number 79790 Type of Recruitment External Position Title SENIOR DEFENSIVE ANALYST / FOOTBALL Position Summary The Senior Defensive Analyst for Football serves as a key strategic resource for the defensive coaching staff, providing advanced analysis, game planning, and innovative defensive strategies. This role supports the preparation and performance of the defensive unit by utilizing detailed film study, data-driven insights, and situational analysis. The position operates within NCAA compliance guidelines and plays a crucial part in enhancing the program’s competitive edge. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Analytics, or related field.
Five years of related, professional experience in film analysis, scouting, and game planning, preferably at the collegiate or professional level.
Demonstrated expertise in defensive football strategy, with in-depth knowledge of modern defensive schemes and techniques.
Strong analytical skills with proficiency in football analytics software (e.g., Hudl, XOS, PFF, Catapult).
Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in Sports Management, Analytics, or a related field.
Previous coaching or defensive analyst experience in Division I or professional football. Duties & Responsibilities Defensive Game Planning and Strategy:
Assists the Defensive Coordinator in developing detailed game plans to counter opponents’ offensive schemes.
Analyzes offensive trends and tendencies to propose effective defensive adjustments and concepts.
Innovates with modern defensive strategies and situational packages to improve overall unit performance.

Film Analysis and Scouting:
Breaks down opponents’ offensive film to identify patterns, strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies.
Analyzes in-game film to provide real-time feedback and post-game evaluation of defensive performance.
Assists in preparing scouting reports, including player personnel evaluations and opponent tendencies.

Practice Preparation and Evaluation:
Develops and implements practice scripts, defensive drills, and situational scenarios.
Analyzes practice footage to provide detailed insights on player technique, execution, and positioning.
Assists in teaching defensive concepts to staff or personnel through video analysis.

Advanced Data and Analytics:
Uses data-driven analysis to evaluate defensive performance metrics, including 3rd down success rates, red-zone efficiency, and explosive plays.
Provides visualizations and reports to communicate findings to the coaching staff for actionable adjustments.

Recruiting and Talent Evaluation:
Supports the recruiting process by evaluating prospects’ defensive potential and fit within the program’s schemes.
Assists in analyzing transfer portal prospects and recommending additions to strengthen the defensive unit.

Compliance and Collaboration:
Ensures strict adherence to NCAA rules regarding analyst roles and coaching limitations.
Collaborates effectively with the Defensive Coordinator, position coaches, and other analysts to ensure alignment of strategies and performance goals.
Performs other duties as assigned. Supervision Exercised None. Message to Applicants Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering a broadly diverse and inclusive campus that respects all social identities, experiences, and perspectives. In an effort to further this initiative, we are especially interested in candidates who will advance and promote an inclusive and supportive environment for every member of our university community.

You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.

Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit transcripts (unofficial or official) as a part of the application process.  Employee Group Professional & Administrative -Salary Staff Pay Level Pay Range $58,000 - $68,000 per year Division President Department Athletics Position Status Regular Position End Date Employment Status Full-Time FTE 1.00 Position Type 12 month Weekly Work Schedule Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed Location Mount Pleasant, MI About the Department About CMU Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.

We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.

CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.

Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.

CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.

Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms. CMU Leadership Standards Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.

We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.

Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position. EEO Statement CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex‐based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight (see https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/OCRIE).
If you wish to see “EEO is the Law” posters, please click here.
CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.
Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary, or both.
CMU’s Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:

Phone: 989-774-3253
Office: 103 E. Preston St.
Bovee University Center, suite 306
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Email: titleix@cmich.edu Posting Ends 02/23/2025 Open Until Filled No Supplemental Questions

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* Are you currently an internal employee of CMU according to the university's definition? Yes No * If yes, to which employee group do you belong? (If not applicable, select "Not Applicable"). Not Applicable Dispatcher Medical Faculty Office Professional P&A, SO or Faculty Police Public Broadcasting Sergeant Service Maintenance Supervisory/Technical * Do you have a bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Analytics, or a related field? Yes No * Do you have at least five years of related, professional experience in film analysis, scouting, and game planning (preferably at the collegiate or professional level)? Yes No * Applicants for this position are subject to the following NCAA Bylaws: click here to view the NCAA Bylaws. You may be asked about these Bylaws in an interview, and you may be asked to sign a future affirmation confirming the same prior to or upon your employment by CMU, if you are selected for employment. Do you understand that by submitting your application for employment you are affirming that you have read these Bylaws, and that such Bylaws would not preclude your employment by CMU? Yes No Optional & Required Documents Required Documents Resume/Curriculum Vitae Cover Letter Optional Documents List of References Transcript Copies