DeOn’Tae Pannell is in his second season as the Governors’ defensive line coach after joining Jeff Faris’ inaugural coaching staff in Dec. 2023.
Pannell joins the Govs’ coaching staff after spending the 2023 season at UCLA, where he was a defensive analyst and run-game coordinator.
Pannell also has experience at the highest level of professional football, having worked with the San Francisco 49ers (2023) and Houston Texans (2019) as part of the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship, and the Detroit Lions (2021-22) as a William Clay Ford Minority Coaching Intern.
Pannell began his coaching career at Peru State, where he was the defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator for three seasons. He finished his time in Peru, Nebraska, as the Bobcats’ interim head coach.
Pennell graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in crime, law, and justice in 2012 and is currently working on a master’s degree in entrepreneurial and economic development.
PANNELL’S CAREER SUMMARY
Austin Peay (2024-CURRENT)
2024: Named Austin Peay’s defensive line coach in Dec. 2023. Davion Hood led the Governors’ defensive line with 7.0 tackles for loss. Hood, Hosea Knifeley Jr., and Marquez Casey also led the position and were second on the team with 2.5 sacks.
UCLA (2023)
2023: Served as a defensive analyst and run-game coordinator for the Bruins under head coach Chip Kelly. Also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan as a 2023 Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellow, working with the 49ers’ offensive linemen.
DETROIT LIONS (2021-22)
2021-22: Spent two seasons with the Detroit Lions as the William Clay Ford Minority Coaching Intern. While with the Lions, he served as a quality control coach for the offensive line.
PERU STATE (2017-19)
2019: Defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator for Peru State. Under his leadership, defensive back Victor Hubbard was named First Team All-Nebraska NAIA/NCAA Division III, while defensive lineman Luis Costantino, defensive end Jordan Willis, and defensive back Mardarius Adams were recognized as honorable mentions. Served as the interim head coach for Peru State from Dec. 2019 to Jan. 2020. Also spent time with the Houston Texans and head coach Bill O'Brien as a 2019 Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellow.
2018: The Bobcats won a trio of games in 2018 and had two defensive players (Stephen Bowers and Zachary Taylor) named First Team All-Nebraska NAIA/NCAA Division III selections.
2017: Peru State went 7-4 and 3-2 in the Heart of America Conference, which tied for its second-most victories since an eight-win campaign in 2000.
PROFESSIONAL PLAYING CAREER (2012)
Pannell signed with the New Orleans Saints following the 2012 NFL Draft, but was released prior to the regular season.
COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER (2008-11)
Pannell was a four-year letterman and three-year starter for Penn State, where he played all five positions on the offensive line. The Nittany Lions went 41-14 throughout his career, including winning the 2008 Big Ten Championship. Pannell appeared in four bowl games throughout his playing career, including the 2009 Rose Bowl, 2010 Capital One Bowl, 2011 Outback Bowl, and 2012 Ticket City Bowl.
