Football
Chinander, Erik
Erik Chinander
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Line
Erik Chinander joined the Broncos’ staff on Dec. 23, 2022 and is currently the team’s defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, a role he took on starting with the 2024 season. He began his time at Boise State as the assistant head coach/defensive line/defensive run game coordinator in 2023.
In Chinander’s first two seasons at Boise State (2023-24), the Broncos have won back-to-back Mountain West championships for the first time in program history and reached the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal in 2024.
The 2024 campaign, Chinander’s first as Boise State’s defensive coordinator, saw the Broncos finish the year as the nation’s leader in sacks and be fifth in the country in tackles for loss. The defense was also the best or among the best in the Mountain West in red zone defense (first), rushing defense (second), scoring defense (second) and first down defense (third).
Chinander has more than two decades of coaching experience, including time at Nebraska (2018-22), UCF (2016-17), Oregon (2014-15 and 2010-12), the Philadelphia Eagles (2013), Northern Iowa (2004-09) and Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College (2003). He was named a top 25 recruiter by Rivals in 2021.
At both UCF and Nebraska, Chinander was the defensive coordinator. In 2021, Nebraska finished 36th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 22.7 points per game with a schedule that featured eight teams that won at least nine games. The points per game average was the Cornhuskers' best since 2010. Nickel JoJo Domann was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.
The Golden Knights ranked 18th and second nationally in takeaways during his two seasons in Orlando. In 2017, UCF went 13-0, won the American Athletic Conference and saw cornerback Mike Hughes earn All-America honors prior to becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick. Linebacker Shaquem Griffin (fifth round) was also selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Chinander coached outsider linebackers at Oregon in 2014 and 2015. The Ducks recorded 34 takeaways in 2014 and played in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Chinander had previously worked as an intern (2010) and graduate assistant (2011-12) in Eugene. During his five seasons with the Ducks, Oregon was 58-10, won three Pac-12 titles and twice played for the national championship.
In 2013, he was the assistant defensive line coach for the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles. At Northern Iowa, he coached tight ends and helped the Panthers win three conference titles and make three appearances in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. His first coaching job was the offensive and defensive line coach for Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa.
A native of Iowa, Chinander played offensive line at Iowa from 1998-2002. As a senior, Iowa shared the Big Ten title and earned a spot in the Orange Bowl.
In Chinander’s first two seasons at Boise State (2023-24), the Broncos have won back-to-back Mountain West championships for the first time in program history and reached the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal in 2024.
The 2024 campaign, Chinander’s first as Boise State’s defensive coordinator, saw the Broncos finish the year as the nation’s leader in sacks and be fifth in the country in tackles for loss. The defense was also the best or among the best in the Mountain West in red zone defense (first), rushing defense (second), scoring defense (second) and first down defense (third).
Chinander has more than two decades of coaching experience, including time at Nebraska (2018-22), UCF (2016-17), Oregon (2014-15 and 2010-12), the Philadelphia Eagles (2013), Northern Iowa (2004-09) and Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College (2003). He was named a top 25 recruiter by Rivals in 2021.
At both UCF and Nebraska, Chinander was the defensive coordinator. In 2021, Nebraska finished 36th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 22.7 points per game with a schedule that featured eight teams that won at least nine games. The points per game average was the Cornhuskers' best since 2010. Nickel JoJo Domann was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.
The Golden Knights ranked 18th and second nationally in takeaways during his two seasons in Orlando. In 2017, UCF went 13-0, won the American Athletic Conference and saw cornerback Mike Hughes earn All-America honors prior to becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick. Linebacker Shaquem Griffin (fifth round) was also selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Chinander coached outsider linebackers at Oregon in 2014 and 2015. The Ducks recorded 34 takeaways in 2014 and played in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Chinander had previously worked as an intern (2010) and graduate assistant (2011-12) in Eugene. During his five seasons with the Ducks, Oregon was 58-10, won three Pac-12 titles and twice played for the national championship.
In 2013, he was the assistant defensive line coach for the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles. At Northern Iowa, he coached tight ends and helped the Panthers win three conference titles and make three appearances in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. His first coaching job was the offensive and defensive line coach for Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa.
A native of Iowa, Chinander played offensive line at Iowa from 1998-2002. As a senior, Iowa shared the Big Ten title and earned a spot in the Orange Bowl.
FB | Boise State Highlights at Air Force
Saturday, September 20
FB | Erik Chinander Week 4 Press Conference
Monday, September 15
FB | Nate Potter Week 4 Press Conference
Monday, September 15
FB | Spencer Danielson Week 4 Press Conference
Monday, September 15
