Veteran defensive coordinator Joe Tresey is in his first season on the Spartan football coaching staff. In addition to serving as defensive coordinator, Tresey also coaches the Spartan linebackers.
Tresey, who has more than 30 years of coaching experience, comes to NSU after serving as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Akron in 2018. The Zips had six All-MAC defensive selections last year.
In 2017, Tresey coached the cornerbacks at Kent State while serving as passing game coordinator.
Since 1995, Tresey has served as a defensive coordinator at the college level for 15 seasons. He was defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Youngtown State in 2012-13. He also called the defensive shots for FBS programs at UCLA (2011), South Florida (2009), Cincinnati (2007-08), Central Michigan (2006) and Akron (2002-03).
In addition to his tenure at Youngstown State, he has experience at the FCS level while coaching at Georgia Southern (2004-05) and VMI (1999-01). He also coached in the Mid-American Conference at Central Michigan (2006) and Akron (2002-03).
In 2010, Tresey served as the defensive backs coach for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He got his start in the collegiate ranks at Division III Otterbein from 1995-99.
In 2012, Youngstown State ranked 11th in the FCS in total defense, while allowing just 95.5 rushing yards per game. One year earlier, Tresey’s defense helped UCLA advance to the PAC 12 Championship Game.
In 2009, South Florida ranked 19th in the nation in scoring defense and won the International Bowl. Two years prior, Tresey oversaw a Cincinnati defense that led the nation in turnovers gained and interceptions, while ranking 13th in scoring defense.
Central Michigan won a MAC Championship and the Motor City Bowl in 2006 with Tresey serving as defensive coordinator.
Tresey is also a veteran at the high school level, including nine seasons as a head coach. In 1989, he was UPI Ohio Division IV Coach of the Year while leading Fredericktown High School.
A native of Warren, Ohio, Tresey graduated from JFK High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio State in 1982 and master’s degree in sport science from Ashland in 1997. Tresey was inducted into the JFK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Fredericktown High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.
Tresey and his wife, Patty, have a son, Patrick, who is an assistant coach at Army West Point.
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