MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois University head football coach Don Patterson has announced the hiring of Thomas Casey as defensive coordinator. ?Tom?s hiring allows us to build on the defensive momentum that we gained in the spring,? Patterson said. ?He is simply an outstanding coach with a strong work ethic and an excellent base of knowledge. We couldn?t be more pleased to have Tom join our staff.?Casey joins the Leatherneck staff after serving the last three seasons as defensive coordinator at Feather River (Calif.) College and Tyler (Texas) Junior College and having also been at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School and Oregon State University. ?What?s really exciting about this opportunity is the chance to continue Western?s historically great defense,? Casey said. ?I was honored by the phone call from Coach Patterson. I have known several coaches in the Gateway and they all speak very highly of the Leatherneck program and the proven track record he has established here. I just felt that this would be a tremendous opportunity for myself and my family.?Casey was in charge of the 2002, 2003 and 2004 defense at Feather River, helping the Golden Eagles to three consecutive bowl games and a 21-11 overall record. In the school?s inaugural footbal season, Casey?s 2002 defense was ranked second in the Bay Valley Conference, allowing an average of 340 yards of offense per game. Most recently, he became the defensive coordinator at Tyler in January.A 1995 Oregon State graduate, Casey?s collegiate coaching career began during his undergraduate days with the Beavers. He served as director of video operations and administrative assistant in the football office while earning his bachelor?s degree, then later worked with the defensive staff as a graduate assistant during the 1995 and 1996 campaigns. In 1995 the Beavers? defense was ranked 17th in the nation. After earning his master?s degree from Oregon State in 1996, Casey spent the 1998 through 2001 seasons in a variety of positions for the USMAPS in Ft. Monmouth, N.J., including offensive and defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. Casey has also made assistant coaching stops at the prep level, at Corvallis (Ore.) High School from 1989-92, as defensive coordinator at Salem Academy (Ore.) High School from 1992-93 and at Corvallis again from 1997-98. Throughout his career, his student-athletes have included nine-year NFL defensive back Reggie Tongue and eight-year NFL offensive guard Brad Badger.Casey was a three-year letterman at center and on the defensive line at Corvallis High School, helping his team to the 1987 Valley League title, before earning a bachelor?s degree in history and a master?s degree in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State. He and his wife, Kimberly, have two daughters: Ashley, 11, and Madeline, 8.THE CASEY FILE? Born Dec. 21, 1970 in Corvallis, Oregon? Wife Kimberly, daughters Ashley (11) and Madeline (8)? Bachelor?s degree from Oregon State in 1995 (History)? Master?s degree from Oregon State in 1996 (College Student Services Administration)2002-04 ? Feather River College (Quincy, Calif.), Defensive Coordinator2000-01 ??USMA Preparatory School (Ft. Monmouth, N.J.), Offensive Coordinator1998-99 ??USMA Preparatory School (Ft. Monmouth, N.J.), Defensive Coordinator1993-97 ??Oregon State University, Assistant Coach1992 ??Corvallis (Ore.) High School, Defensive Assistant1991 ??Salem Academy (Ore.) High School, Defensive Coordinator1989-90 ??Corvallis (Ore.) High School, Defensive Assistant