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SOU gridders lose defensive coordinator ASHLAND - The engineer of Southern Oregon University's swarming football defense in recent seasons announced Tuesday he has accepted a similar position in Illinois. Roger VanDeZande, the Raider defensive coordinator the past four seasons, is the newest member of the coaching staff at North Central College, an NCAA Division III institution in Naperville, Ill. "After several weeks of consideration, this is definitely the right thing to do for many personal and professional reasons," VanDeZande said, "but I can't overstate the great honor and privilege it has been to be a part of this program." The Bend native began his collegiate coaching career in 1997 as an SOU offensive assistant and was promoted to the top defensive role the following season. Since then, the Raiders led the Northwest in scoring defense three times and ranked among the NAIA leaders for either rush defense (1999, 2001), total defense (1999, 2001) or interceptions (1998, '99, 2000). The 2001 Raiders equaled a school-record for wins in a season (9-2 overall), advanced to the national quarterfinals and finished seventh in the country for rush defense and eighth for total defense. The two-time American Football Coaches Association assistant coach of the year honoree also served as the school's recruiting coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, fitness center director and summer clinic director. "Obviously, this is a loss for our program, but it's a great opportunity for Roger and he certainly earned it," SOU head football coach Jeff Olson said. "He is the creator of our football defensive identity." The former Gold Beach High coach's announcement comes a week into the school's spring football drills, and Olson indicated finding a successor is the team's top priority. "We're losing a great person and a talented coach, but we also know this position will be a great opportunity for someone else to step into," Olson said. "Roger replaced a very popular and successful defensive coordinator here four years ago (current Grants Pass High coach Jeff Weiss), and now someone else will have the same challenge." VanDeZande departs for the suburban Chicago private college later this month. "I have both a great sense of pride and a feeling of loss," VanDeZande said. "I have been blessed to associate with hundreds of outstanding student-athletes here, and I will closely follow their progress." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.