KALAMAZOO – Western Michigan University announced the hiring of Dave Cohen, former Hofstra head coach, as the program’s new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and Rich Nagy, the Pride’s former defensive coordinator as the Broncos’ new safeties coach.

“Coach Cohen and Coach Nagy bring an abundance of success and experience to our program.  I was impressed with Hofstra’s aggressive and hard-hitting style of defense during our game at Waldo Stadium. I and the coaching staff are very excited to get them on campus to begin working in preparation for the 2010 campaign,” commented head coach Bill Cubit.

Cohen spent the last four seasons at the helm of a Hofstra football program that ranked 26th in the NCAA Division I FCS in total defense in a conference (Colonial Athletic Association) that boasts some of the top teams in the country. His 22-year coaching career has been highlighted by a national championship in 2003, a trip to the national semifinals in 1997.

Also joining the WMU coaching staff will be former defensive coordinator Rich Nagy. Hofstra’s defense racked up 15 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recoveries to go along with seven interceptions under Nagy’s tutelage during the 2009 season. Prior to joining the Pride Nagy spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Murray State where one of his players earned Walter Camp and Associated Press All-American honors.

Both Cohen and Nagy replace coaches on the Western Michigan staff that left to pursue coaching opportunities at other universities.