Eric Daniels enters his third season as Towson’s defensive coordinator in 2022. He also works directly with the linebackers.
In 2021, two Tigers on defense earned all-conference recognition, led by safety S.J. Brown II on the Second Team and linebacker Christian Dixon on the Third Team. In addition, Towson earned its first shutout since 2017 and first road shutout since 2002 with a 31-0 victory over Morgan State to retain the Battle for Greater Baltimore trophy.
In his first season as defensive coordinator in 2019, Towson made great strides on the defensive side, improving with 5.3 fewer points allowed per game and going up +5 in the turnover margin. Towson ranked third in the CAA in scoring defense at 23.5 points allowed per game, including holding three opponents to one offensive score in the game, and also was third in turnover margin at +6. This includes 16 interceptions, seventh in all of FCS and first in the Colonial Athletic Association. Two Tigers, Keon Paye and Coby Tippett, each had five interceptions, the first Tigers to have at least five picks since 2004. Three defensive players earned all-league honors: Robert Heyward landed on the All-CAA Second Team while each Paye and Tippett were on the All-CAA Third Team.
He comes to Towson after serving as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Briar Cliff University in Iowa in 2018. His defense was the top turnaround unit in college football, improving from 52 points allowed per game in 2017 to 24 points allowed per game in 2018. During his time at Briar Cliff, the football program set many school records including a complete turnaround from a two-year losing streak to having their first winning season in school history. Some key victories included then-ranked opponents Dakota State and Midland. Daniels had two defensive players selected as first-team all-conference members.
Prior to joining Briar Cliff, Daniels was at Oklahoma Panhandle State. OPSU finished in the top 25 in 2017 for the first time in 35 years. Panhandle State was ranked sixth in the nation in defense as well as top 15 in 10 different categories, including both rush and pass defense. They were also first in the nation in fourth down stops. Daniels had three defensive players selected as first-team all-conference members. He also helped the Aggies get their first win over a Division-I FCS opponent, beating Arkansas Pine Bluff 20-16. After his final season at OPSU, Daniels was elected to the American Football Coaches Association 2018 Coaches Leadership Institute, representing 35 football coaches in America under the age of 35.
Prior to Panhandle State, Daniels coached at Southern Methodist University in Dallas where he served as the linebackers coach under legendary coach June Jones. During the 2014 season, he helped mold two of the American Athletic Conference's top linebackers, Randall Joyner and Kevin Pope, into the league's leading defensive tandem. Daniels was a part of helping the Mustangs set a school record by getting to four-straight bowl games, while also winning the western division and playing for a conference championship.
He also was the linebackers coach at Angelo State from August 2008-December 2009 and the assistant linebackers coach at Hardin-Simmons University from December 2007-July 2008.
Daniels graduated from Hardin Simmons in 2007 with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in physical education, earning Cum Laude honors, and a Master's of Student Development and Leadership in Higher Education in 2009 from Angelo State. Daniels was also on the Big XII Commissioners Honor Roll while playing at Baylor before finishing up at Hardin-Simmons.
