Duquesne football hires new defensive coordinator

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Duquesne football hires new defensive coordinator

By Triblive

1 Min Read • March 17, 2026 | 7 days ago

| Tuesday, March 17, 2026 1:24 a.m.

Duquesne’s football team has hired a new defensive coordinator. (Courtesy of Duquesne Athletics)

Duquesne has named Bill Nesselt defensive coordinator, succeeding Mickey Jacobs, who resigned to take over as linebackers coach at Connecticut.

Nesselt, a former Massachusetts defensive lineman, previously served as Albany’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator under former Albany coach Greg Gattuso, who returned to Duquesne as coach Jerry Schmitt’s associate head coach.

Gattuso, who spent last season as a defensive consultant at his alma mater, Penn State, compiled a 97-32 record in 12 seasons as Duquesne’s coach from 1993-2004.

Nesselt, a 2023 finalist for FootballScoop’s FCS Defensive Coordinator of the Year, helped guide Albany to one of the top defensive units in FCS as the Great Danes won their first Coastal Athletic Association championship and advanced to the FCS semifinals.

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