Fred Bliel Bio

Harry · February 7, 2006

http://goaztecs.collegesports.com/sports/m...eil_fred00.html

Fred Bleil is in his eighth season of coaching the Aztec secondary and added special teams duties in 2003. Under his direction, the Aztec secondary has been a big reason State's defense has become an annual force in the Mountain West.

Under Bleil's tutelage, SDSU's Will Demps earned two straight first-team all-conference selections and went on to become a rookie starter with the Baltimore Ravens. Another former Aztec player, safety Brian Russell (whom Bleil helped convert from quarterback), has gone on to a professional career with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns and was the NFL leader in interceptions in 2003. In 2005, Aztec safety Marviel Underwood was drafted by the Green Bay Packers.

Under Bleil's direction, the Aztecs improved from 86th in the country in pass defense in 2002 to fourth in 2003. Aztec cornerbacks Jacob Elimimian and Jeff Shoate ranked first and second in the Mountain West in 2003 in passes defended and Elimimian was third in the league in interceptions.

Prior to arriving at San Diego State in the spring of 1998, he spent two seasons as defensive coordinator at North Texas. Under Bleil, UNT finished in the top three in the Big West in scoring defense in both 1996 and '97, and ranked second in the league in pass defense in '96. Three UNT players earned all-Big West honors.

Prior to North Texas, Bleil was the defensive coordinator at New Mexico from 1992 to '95. In four seasons with the Lobos, Bleil helped improve the defense from one of the worst in the nation to one of the best in the WAC. He was defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Utah State from 1986-91.

He was head coach at New Mexico Highlands from 1979 to 1982, and in his third season was Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Coach of the Year when he led the Cowboys to the 1981 title. For his efforts, he was also honored as the AFCA College Division coach of the year and later served as director of athletics at the school from 1981-82. He has also had coaching stints at Texas A&I (1983) and Drake (1984-85).

As A Player: Bleil played his college football at Northern Iowa in 1967.

Personal: Fred Bleil was born Jan. 7, 1949, in Remsen, Iowa, and attended Remsen-Union High School. He earned a degree from Westmar College in 1971 and a masters degree from Eastern New Mexico in '72.

eulesseagle · February 7, 2006

This is very encouraging

THOR · February 7, 2006

It does seem encouraging. Hopefully, we can get back to our awesome defense again in the near future!!!

mad dog · February 7, 2006

ok... how's that name pronounced? "leel? lile? layel?"

Maverick · February 8, 2006

ok... how's that name pronounced? "leel? lile? layel?"
←

lile

H-towngreen · February 9, 2006

What does Bliel bring to the team in terms of recruiting? When with NT before what area was his? What inroads does he have here in Texas?

Losing Atterbury hurts as he helped us out alot in our OK. recruiting. Not to mention we lost Bell our coach in charge of recruiting with Houston connections. And then Van Malone. I would say those 3 brought in the majority of our players this year.

At least we still have Flanny