Erik Chinander was announced as the defensive coordinator for the UCF football team in January of 2016.
Chinander's defense was impressive in his first year as coordinator. UCF led the American Athletic Conference in five defensive statistical categories, ranked second in the nation in red zone defense and third in the nation with five defensive touchdowns. After losing seven starters from 2016, the 2017 version of Chinander's defense was solid once again, helping to lead the Knights to their first-ever undefeated regular season and a victory in the American Athletic Conference Championship.
2016 Defensive Stats (National Rankings)
- Red Zone Defense - 70.7% (2nd)
- Defensive TDs - 5 (3rd)
- 3rd Down Defense - 29% (6th)
- Tackles for Loss - 7.9/game (9th)
- Sacks - 2.92/game (17th)
- Turnovers - 26 (18th)
- Interceptions - 15 (22nd)
- Fumbles Recovered - 11 (24th)
- Total Defense - 370.3/game (39th)
- Scoring Defense - 24.6 ppg (42nd)
Chinander helped develop linebacker Shaquem Griffin in his breakout season. Griffin recorded 92 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss and 11.5 sacks on his way to earning 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Griffin was 12th in the nation with 0.88 sacks per game and 13th with 1.5 tackles-for-loss per contest.
In his first season at UCF, Chinander also mentored three other Knights to All-American Athletic Conference accolades. Defensive back Shaquill Griffin and noseguard Jamiyus Pittman were named to the All-AAC Second Team, while Drico Johnson picked up honorable mention honors.
For his work, Chinander was honored as a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2016. The Broyles Award is given each year to the top assistant coach in college football.
2017 Defensive Stats (National Rankings)
- Defensive TDs - 3 (17th)
- Fumbles Recovered - 11 (14th)
- Passes Intercepted - 18 (5th)
- Scoring Defense - 25.2 (53rd)
- Turnover Margin - +1.25 (2nd)
- Turnovers Gained - 29 (5th)
Griffin followed up his breakout 2016 campaign with another great season as a senior. He was named a Second Team All-America performer by the American Football Coaches Association. Griffin was also the only unanimous First Team selection on the All-American Athletic Conference team (offense or defense).
In addition to Griffin, Pittman, junior cornerback Mike Hughes and junior safety Kyle Gibson were also named to The American's First Team. Second team honorees were sophomore defensive lineman Trysten Hill and senior linebacker Chequan Burkett.
Chinander came to Orlando after serving as the outside linebackers coach at Oregon. He has coached with Frost for seven seasons at Oregon and Northern Iowa.
In 2015, the Oregon outside linebacker combination of Tyson Coleman (63) and Torrodney Prevot (48) combined for 111 tackles. Coleman was second on the team with 12.0 tackles for loss as well as 4.5 sacks, while he forced a team-high three fumbles. A year before that, Tony Washington finished second at Oregon with 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, forcing three fumbles and recovered three as well.
Prior to his second stint in Eugene, Chinander worked as an assistant to Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro where he helped with game and practice plans, coordinating the scout teams and evaluating current and future personnel. The Eagles claimed the NFC East title and boasted a 10-6 record during the 2013 campaign.
Chinander ventured to the NFL following three seasons with Chip Kelly at Oregon, serving as an intern in 2010 and then a graduate assistant from 2011-12. Chinander witnessed three all-conference defensive linemen reach the NFL in Kenny Rowe, Brandon Bair and 2013 No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft Dion Jordan.
During the 2012 campaign, Oregon was third in the Pac-12 in scoring defense while it led the league in sacks in 2011.
With Chinander on staff, Oregon reached the BCS National Championship Game in the 2010 season, and it earned victories in the Rose Bowl (2011 season), the Fiesta Bowl (2012 season) and the Rose Bowl (2014 season) while it also reached the Alamo Bowl in 2015.
From 2004-09, Northern Iowa witnessed the versatile Chinander coach the tight ends and make a huge impact in recruiting, but he also assisted with the defensive and specialists scout teams as well as slotbacks. The Panthers won three Missouri Valley Conference titles during that span, and advanced to the FCS national championship in 2005 as well as the semifinals in 2008.
In his first coaching stop in 2003, Chinander was the offensive line and defensive line coach for Ellsworth Community College in Iowa, where he also coordinated the strength and conditioning programs for football and men's and women's basketball. The Panthers finished second in the region and three of his players garnered first-team, all-region status.
Hailing from Allison, Iowa, Chinander was a walk-on offensive lineman for Iowa beginning in 1998. The Hawkeyes would claim the 2001 Alamo Bowl crown and reach the 2003 Orange Bowl after earning the Big 10 crown. After his senior year in 2002, Chinander received the Hawkeyes' Offensive Team Leader Award.
Chinander earned bachelor's degrees in health leisure and sports studies, as well as history, in 2003. He and his wife, Megan, have two daughters, Penelope and Sophia.
Coaching Experience
2003 -- Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College -- Offensive Line/Defensive Line
2004-09 -- Northern Iowa -- Tight Ends
2010 -- Oregon -- Intern
2011-12 -- Oregon -- Defensive Graduate Assistant
2013 -- Philadelphia Eagles -- Assistant Defensive Line
2014-15 -- Oregon -- Outside Linebackers
2016-present -- UCF -- Defensive Coordinator
as of December 2017