Eric Inama enters his fourth season as the Defensive Backs/Special Teams Coordinator for the nationally-ranked Cougar football program.
Before rejoining the USF staff in 2013, he spent the previous four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Midland University (Neb). Inama is no stranger to USF as he spent three seasons (2007-09) on the Cougars’ coaching staff.
In the past two seasons, Inama has played a key coaching role as USF has gone 20-4 with two straight postseason berths. In that span, USF has been ranked in 23 straight national polls, rising as high as #4 in 2015. In the past two years as a defensive coaching staff, USF has established an NCAA DII best 3.04 turnovers per game (73 in 24 games). Only Colorado-Pueblo has more overall turnovers (74) but did it in more games (29, 2.55 per game). In addition, USF has an NSIC best 13 defensive TDs and 46 interceptions over the past two seasons.
USF was 9-3 in 2015, earning a berth in the NCAA DII playoffs after finishing tied for second overall in the NSIC. The defensive unit was ranked in the top-25 in six categories. Those areas include: team sacks, 12th (1st, NSIC), 39; interceptions, 10th (2nd, NSIC), 20; turnover margin, 15th (2nd, NSIC), 1.08, +13 (33-20); turnovers created, 6th (1st, NSIC), 33; defensive TDs, 4th (six TDs) and fumbles recovered, 22nd (13).
In league stats, USF ranked first in sacks (39), second interceptions (20), second in turnover margin (1.08, 33-20), fourth in opponent third down conversions (33.5 percent), fourth in opponent third down conversions (7 fourth in scoring defense (21.4 ppg), fifth in rushing defense (134.1 ypg), fifth in total defense (362.3 ypg), fifth in pass defense efficiency (118.7 ypg), sixth in pass defense (233.6 ypg).
The excellence of Inama's secondary has been shown in that USF's has had two cornerbacks, John Tidwell and Solomon St. Pierre, earned first team all-league honors in back-to-back seasons. On top of that, the pair have earned numerous regional and national honors. St. Pierre earned six post season All-American honors, was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award and finished with 16 All-Americans honors for his career. St. Pierre ranked fourth nationally in both interceptions with nine and pass defended with 24. He set a school and NSIC record with 22 career interceptions while setting interception return yardage and TD marks. He later earned tryouts with three NFL teams. Tidwell became USF’s first ever three time first team All-NSIC honoree and was named second team Academic All-American while also picking up all-region honors.
Inama also directed one of the nation's best special teams unit. USF ranked in the to-25 in five categories including blocked punts, 9th (four blocks), blocked kicks, 12th (seven overall), blocked punts allowed, 1st (0); kickoff return defense, 10th (16.62 ypr) and punt returns, 15th (14.82 ypr). USF had two kickoff returns for TDs and one punt return for a score last year.
In 2014, Inama was part of the staff that put together a defense, which was one of the best in NCAA DII. In addition, his special teams were among the best in the league and top-20 nationally. The Cougars defense, which transitioned to a 4-3 in 2014, play a central role in USF’s 11-1 record and final rankings of #16 (D2football.com) and #18 (AFCA) in the national polls. USF’s defense put a finishing touch on the season by allowing just 10 points (42-10), forcing three turnovers and tying season high with five sacks in a Mineral Water Bowl win over Central Oklahoma.
The Cougars ranked 12th in the nation in scoring defense (17.4 ppg). The Cougars recorded 26 interceptions which ranked best in the league and second nationally. Those interceptions combined with 14 fumble recoveries gave USF a turnover margin of 1.67 (40-to-20) which ranked fourth in the nation. In addition, the defense/special teams had a nation-best 10 TDs (seven on defense). In fact, the Cougars allowed just 12 passing TDs and 13 rushing TDs.
Inama’s defensive backs had a big season. The Cougars went from 12th (221.0) in pass defense (221.0) to third (204.4). In rushing defense, the Cougars went from 13th (220.1) to fourth (152.4). Meanwhile, the team was 13th in total defense (441.1) and finished third (356.8) with an improvement of 85 yards per game. USF was first in pass defense efficiency at 90.5, which ranked fourth nationally.
The kickoff return team and punt return squads were ranked 20th nationally and third in the NSIC. The Punt return unit averaged 14.11 yards per return (28-395) with two TDs, which was tied for fifth-best in DII. John Tidwell, who ranked second in the NSIC and 14th nationally in punt returns at 14.8 per return (23-341-2 TDs) had two punt return TDs, including a 55-yarder in the 42-10 Mineral Water Bowl victory over Central Oklahoma. He also had a 78-yard punt return TD in the snow against Wayne State (63-28 win) at Bob Young Field on Nov. 15. The kick return team averaged 23.0 yards per return and featured a 93-yard TD return by David Clark in a 44-20 win over Southwest Minnesota State at Bob Young Field. Clark averaged 26.4 yards per return which was third in the NSIC and 28th in NCAA DII. USF also ranked 39th nationally and second in the NSIC in punt return defense, allowing just 6.63 yards per return.
USF was eighth in the NSIC in kickoff returns (20.5 yards per return). Several members of the USF second were recognized nationally, including cornerback Solomon St. Pierre, who was named to six first team All-American squads. In addition, John Tidwell, the other cornerback, was named honorable mention All-American (Don Hansen) and to the CoSIDA All-District 12 Team. Both were first team All-NSIC selections. Tidwell and St. Pierre ranked first in the league for a starting cornerback duo in interceptions (14), interception return yardage (254, 18.14 avg. per return) and TD returns with two.
From 2010-13, Inama was defensive coordinator at Midland University in Fremont, Neb., helping turn around the Warriors. In 2010, Midland University finished 8-3, earning a #22 national ranking as the school had its most successful football team in 16 years. Inama’s defensive squad finished ranked in the top 20 in several categories during 2010-11. In 2010, MU was ranked second in Pass Defense Efficiency, sixth in Scoring Defense (15.9 ppg), 11th in Total Defense (271.9). In 2011, the Warriors ranked 17th in Total Defense (272.1) and third in creating turnovers (37).
In his first coaching stint at USF, the Cougars won back-to-back NAIA national championships in 2008-09 after taking NAIA runner-up honors in 2007. USF also won three straight GPAC championships and boasted the NAIA’s no. 1-ranked defense in both 2008 and 2009. He began his coaching career at Kings College in Wilkes Barre, Pa., as an assistant coach for defensive backs.
Inama was tabbed a 2012 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year finalist and also served as an assistant coach for the 2012 All-American Bowl (NCAA DII, NCAA DIII and NAIA). He was named an honorary Captain of the Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association in 2010. He has mentored three NAIA All-Americans, NCAA DII All-American and honorable mention All-American, 24 All-Conference selections and four NAIA Scholar Athletes.
He has made several presentations including speaking engagements at the Glazier Clinic in Minneapolis, Minn.; Creighton Prep Coaches Clinic in Omaha, Neb.; Omaha Metro Football Coaches Association Clinic in Omaha, Neb.; and the Nebraska Eight Man Coaches Association in Holdrege, Neb. In addition, Inama is a published writer, penning “Maximize Practice Time with Special Teams Drills,” for the American Football Monthly in 2015.
A three-time letter winner at Delaware Valley College, Inama graduated in 2005 with a degree in business administration. He also holds an MBA from the University of Sioux Falls in 2010. Eric and his wife Kaylene reside in Sioux Falls.
