The University of West Florida hired longtime college coach Darian Dulin as Defensive Coordinator in February of 2017.
In three seasons he has molded the Argonaut defense into one of the top units in the Gulf South Conference and Super Region 2 using an attacking, aggressive style. UWF has held its opponents to fewer than 250 yards of total offense 10 times in the past three seasons.
In the 2019 National Championship season, the Argonauts led the country with 24 fumbles recovered and were second in turnovers forced with 37. They were strong inside the red zone, limiting opponents to 65 percent scoring success to lead the GSC and rank 20th nationally.
Lineman Ian Bush and nickleback Trent Archie were First Team All-GSC selections and linebacker Kedrick Bradley was a second team honoree. Bush led the GSC with 15.5 tackles for loss, while he joined Archie and sophomore Gael Laurent as the league leaders with four fumble forced each.
UWF's defense was especially strong in the run to the 2017 NCAA Division 2 National Championship game, holding opponents to an average of 258 yards per game in the six games leading up to the title contest.
UWF has forced at least one turnover in 38 of 41 games under Dulin.
Dulin came to UWF with 20 years experience as a college coach, including 17 as a head coach and coordinator.
"We are very excited to add a coach with the experience of
Darian Dulin to our staff," Shinnick said. "He brings a great work ethic and has a wealth of football knowledge. Darian is a great teacher, great father and husband and I am looking forward to him having a positive impact on our players. We are excited to welcome Darian and his family to UWF and Pensacola."
Dulin spent five seasons as the defensive coordinator and special teams coach at Football Championship Subdivision member Abilene Christian. The Wildcats won 24 games and transitioned from Division II to Division I status and membership in the Southland Conference over that time. His defenses ranked in the top three twice and he mentored 10 all-conference players.
Dulin previously was the head coach at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College where he led the team to a 22-19 record from 2008-11. In his final season, the Red Ravens went 6-5 and advanced to the National Junior College Athletics Association Region VI semifinals. CCC had eight all-region and 17 all-conference honorees during his four seasons.
Dulin spent seven seasons over two stints at Tarleton State from 2000-07.
In 2006, the Tarleton defense ranked second in the LSC in scoring defense, allowing just 18.1 points per game. Tarleton was the number one rushing defense, allowing just 90.5 yards per game. In 2005, the Texans had the No. 2 scoring defense and No. 1 in pass defense efficiency in the league.
In 2004 – his lone season at Butler (Kan.) Community College – his defense finished the regular season ranked first in the Jayhawk Conference in total defense. Butler's defense also led the NJCAA in scoring defense, sacks and passing efficiency defense.
He got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Kansas Wesleyan in 1997 and spent two years at Sam Houston State, first as a defensive assistant and then as secondary coach.
He received his bachelor's degrees in mathematics and chemistry from Southwestern College in 1997 and a master's of education from Tarleton State in 2001.
Dulin and his wife Tiffany have three children, Brooke, Declin and Dasan.
