Recruiting Areas – New England (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine), New York (Sullivan, Ulster, Columbia & North), Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Overseeing one of Columbia’s strongest and deepest position groups over the past five seasons, Darin Edwards begins his sixth year as the Lions’ defensive line coach. Edwards’ defensive line units are known for their depth, physicality, athleticism and aggressive style of play.
Edwards’ impact has been felt immediately as stellar defensive line play enabled Columbia to amass 14 victories combining the 2017 and 2018 seasons, the program’s highest win total in consecutive years since the institution joined the Ivy League in 1956, and subsequent back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1961 and 1962.
In 2019, Edwards’ defensive line put together another superb season. Defensive end Daniel DeLorenzi concluded his Columbia career as the school’s all-time career sacks record holder as he totaled 22.0 over his four-year career. The Lions finished with 22 total sacks on the year as DeLorenzi earned Second Team All-Ivy honors.
Despite suffering injuries to over 25 key players, Columbia completed its 2018 season with a 6-4 overall and 3-4 Ivy League record. Once again, Columbia’s defensive line proved to be one of the most athletic, versatile and talented units in recent years. With 30 sacks on the year, Columbia ranked No. 19 nationally, led the Ivy League and ranked as the fourth highest total in school history. Columbia also established a new school-record for game sacks with 10 at Brown on Nov. 10. Individually, DeLorenzi set a new school-record for season sacks with 10 sacks on the year, ranked No. 11 nationally in sacks and led the Ivy League in the same category. A First Team All-Ivy League selection, DeLorenzi also ranked second in the Ivy League in tackles for loss (10.5). Team co-captain Mike Hinton also earned All-Ivy League honors after contributing seven tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. Other key defensive line contributors included Cooper Wilson, Ogonna Oraedu, Arman Samouk, Cameren Carter, Alex Robin and Max Mullaney.
A source of strength and featuring Columbia’s strongest and deepest position group, Columbia’s 2017 defensive line produced two All-Ivy League selections in NFL signee Lord Hyeamang (First Team All-Ivy League) and Dominic Perkovic (Honorable Mention All-Ivy League). Line play was a key component for a defense that helped the Lions produce an 8-2 overall and 5-2 Ivy League record in 2017 and the program’s best record in 21 years. Columbia’s line also helped its defense rank among the nation’s top-25 in several statistical categories including scoring defense (14th), red zone defense (11th), third down efficiency defense (17th) and percentage (14th) and team passing efficiency defense (16th).
In 2016, Columbia’s defensive line produced one All-Ivy League selection in Hyeamang as the defense was once again ranked among national leaders in a variety of statistics including third down conversion defense (No. 5, 29.3), first downs defense (No. 7, 177.0) and team tackles for loss (No. 14, 7.6 per game).
Columbia had arguably the top defensive line in the conference during the 2015 season, as three Lions earned All-Ivy League accolades. Edwards coached Toba Akinleye to first team all-conference honors, while Niko Padilla and Chad Washington were Second Team All-Ivy League representatives. Line play was crucial for a Columbia defense that ranked 11th in the FCS in total defense at 291.1 yards per game, 18th in scoring defense at 19.8 points per game, and held opponents to 13 points or less four times.
Edwards arrived at Columbia in March 2015 after spending two years in the Bronx, coaching the defensive line at Fordham University from 2014-15. Before his stint at Fordham, Edwards spent seven years with the Sacred Heart football program.
At Sacred Heart, Edwards was responsible for the Pioneers’ tight ends and served as special teams coordinator in 2013 after serving as the outside linebackers coach in 2012, defensive line coach from 2009-2011, and running backs coach in 2008. In 2013, Edwards helped Sacred Heart to the Northeast Conference title and an automatic berth in the NCAA FCS championships, where the Pioneers fell to Fordham in the first round. Sacred Heart led the NEC in rushing and scoring defense and was second in the NCAA FCS in team tackles for loss and turnovers gained and eighth in team sacks.
Edwards arrived at Sacred Heart after a coaching stint at Iona College, where he worked as the defensive line coach and helped the Gaels finish third in the country in total defense. The defensive unit also finished fifth in the nation in sacks and seventh in pass defense.
Before his stop at Iona, Edwards spent a season at Central Connecticut, where he coached the team’s offensive line before shifting his responsibilities to wide receivers. Edwards was responsible for all aspects of offensive line play in 2006 as the Blue Devils set nine team records on offense. During the 2005 campaign, Edwards coached the offensive line at Western Connecticut in Danbury where the Colonials led the NJAC in scoring offense and passing offense. His offensive line featured a pair of All-Conference performers.
A 2000 graduate of Miles College in Fairfield, Ala., with a bachelor’s degree in social studies education, Edwards got his coaching start as an assistant at Bristol Central High School in Bristol, Conn. Edwards played four seasons for his alma mater and also had stints in the North American Football League for the Central Alabama Renegades, National Indoor Football League as well as the Arena 2 League before joining the coaching ranks.
Edwards and his wife, the former Chrystal Campbell, were married in July 2015.
DARIN EDWARDS FILE
Birthdate: December 17, 1976
Hometown: Bristol, Conn.
Family
Wife Chrystal
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Social Studies Teacher Education, Miles College, Ala., 2000
Coaching Career
Defensive Line Coach, Columbia University, 2015-current
Defensive Line Coach, Fordham University, 2014-15
Tight Ends/Special Team Coordinator, Sacred Heart University, 2013
Outside Linebackers Coach, Sacred Heart University, 2012
Defensive Line Coach, Sacred Heart University, 2009-11
Running Backs Coach, Sacred Heart University, 2008
Defensive Line Coach, Iona College, 2007
Offensive Line/Wide Receivers Coach, Central Connecticut State, 2006
Offensive Line Coach, Western Connecticut State, 2005
Assistant Coach, Bristol Central High School, Conn., 2004
Playing Career
Four-year letterwinner as an offensive lineman at Miles College, Ala. (1995-98) … Four-year starter on the offensive line … Inducted into the Miles College Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 … Played semi-professional football in the North American Football League for the Central Alabama Renegades, National Indoor Football League for the Sioux City Bandits and signed with the New Haven Ninjas of the Arena 2 League … Third Team All-North American Football League pick in 1999.
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