Harry Hiestand
Harry Hiestand (born November 19, 1958 in Malvern, Pennsylvania) is the offensive line coach for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. He served as the offensive line coach for the National Football League Chicago Bears from 2005-2010 before taking the same job at the University of Tennessee until his departure in January 2012. Hiestand earned his bachelor's degree in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg in 1983. He and his wife, Terri, have three sons, Michael, Matthew and Mark, and one daughter, Sarah.[1]
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Coaching career
He previously coached the at University of Tennessee and Chicago Bears O-Line, Hiestand has also coached at East Stroudsburg University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Toledo, University of Cincinnati, University of Missouri and University of Illinois.
Early Coaching Career
In his first coaching jobs, Hiestand was an offensive line coach at Toledo (1988), graduate assistant coach at Southern California (1987) and tight ends and assistant line coach at Penn (1986). He began his coaching career at his alma mater, East Stroudsburg University, after an injury ended his playing days. Hiestand has been a part of league championship teams at five of his seven stops, at East Stroudsburg (1982–83), Penn (1986), USC (1987), Cincinnati (1993) and Illinois (2001). He was on the Trojan staff at the 1988 Rose Bowl.
Cincinnati
Hiestand came to the University of Cincinnati in 1989 after a year at Toledo. He served as run game coordinator with the Bearcats in 1992 and offensive coordinator in 1993. As offensive coordinator, running back David Small broke Cincinnati's record for rushing touchdowns while the offense posted the 7th most points in school history. Cincinnati's 1993 team went 8-3 after a 3-8 record the previous campaign.
Missouri
After a five-year stint at Cincinnati, went to the University of Missouri. With the Tigers, Hiestand helped UM to a No. 9 national ranking in rushing at 250.7 yards per game in 1996. In that same year, three of Hiestand's offensive lineman garnered All-Big 12 honors.
Illinois
From 1997-2004, Harry Hiestand served as offensive line coach in Ron Turner's system and also was assistant head coach from 2000 until his departure.
During his tenure, Hiestand has produced 10 All-Big Ten selections on the offensive line. Last year, Illinois marched out one of the nation's most balanced offensive attacks thanks in large part to Hiestand's offensive front. Illinois topped 5,300 yards in total offense for the first time in school history and running back Antoineo Harris topped the Illinois single season rushing yardage list with 1,330 yards. Seniors Tony Pashos and Dave Diehl each earned All-Big Ten accolades, and were fifth-round picks in the 2003 NFL Draft.
In 2001, Hiestand tutored a pair of linemen to first team All-Big Ten accolades. Both Jay Kulaga and Pashos were named to the Big Ten's first team by the coaches and media, while senior center Luke Butkus was a second-team selection. Illinois topped the 5,000-yard total offense mark for the first time in school history.
In 2000, Marques Sullivan and Ray Redziniak earned second-team All-Big Ten honors for the second straight year and Sullivan was named to the Football Writers Association All-America third-team. That season the line allowed only 20 sacks, the 17th lowest in the nation.
In 1999, Hiestand's line led Illinois to the highest scoring offense in school history with 388 points scored in 12 games. The UI offensive line cleared paths for Illini running backs to rush for 2,082 yards and provided quarterback Kurt Kittner the room to throw for 2,702 yards and 24 touchdown passes. Sullivan and Redziniak earned second-team All-Big Ten honors.
During his tenure at Illinois, Hiestand tutored 12 all-Big Ten selections on the offensive line. Every senior starting offensive linemen in Hiestand's first seven years with the Illini was signed to an NFL contract.
ILLINOIS NFL OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (coached by Hiestand) Ryan Schau (1995–98), Houston J.P. Machado (1995–98), N.Y. Jets Marques Sullivan (1997–2000), Buffalo Ray Redziniak (1997–2000), Cleveland Luke Butkus (1998–2001), San Diego Dave Diehl (1999–2002), N.Y. Giants Tony Pashos (1999–2002), Baltimore
Chicago Bears
Harry Hiestand, in his fifth season as Chicago’s offensive line coach, was hired on January 11, 2005. The Bears were one of six teams to have the same five offensive linemen start all 16 games in 2008 (C Olin Kreutz, LG Josh Beekman, RG Roberto Garza, LT John St. Clair and RT John Tait), marking the first time since 2001 that Chicago had the same five players start all 16 contests along the line.
The offensive line has been the most experienced unit on the Bears roster over the last couple of years, led by 11-year veteran and six-time Pro Bowl C Olin Kreutz, who enters the 2009 season having started a team-high 102 consecutive games.
In 2008, Chicago’s offensive attempted 557 pass plays and absorbed 29 sacks. In 2006, the Bears attempted 539 pass plays and allowed just 25 sacks, the lowest total given up by the team since allowing 17 in 2001, as Chicago went on to win the 2006 NFC Championship leading to the organization’s first Super Bowl appearance in 21 years.
Coaching Experience
2012–Present University of Notre Dame
2010–2012 University of Tennessee (offensive line)
2005-10 Chicago Bears (offensive line)
2000-04 University of Illinois (assistant head coach/offensive line)
1997-99 University of Illinois (offensive line)
1994-96 University of Missouri (offensive line)
1989-93 University of Cincinnati (offensive coordinator/offensive line)
1988-89 University of Toledo (offensive line)
1987-88 Univ. of So. California (graduate asst.)
1986-87 Univ. of Pennsylvania (tight ends)
1983-85 East Stroudsburg (offensive line)
1981-82 East Stroudsburg (student asst)
Playing career
Hiestand played college football offensive lineman at Springfield College and East Stroudsburg between 1978 and 1980. Injuries shortened his playing career in his junior year. Played at East Stroudsburg with future brother in law and New York Giants Offensive Line coach Pat Flaherty.
References
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