Adrian College

Eric Tyahla '13 begins his eighth season on the Adrian College football coaching staff. He serves as the outside linebackers coach and added defensive coordinator duties for the 2019 season.

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS AT ADRIAN 

• Assisted in the Bulldogs capturing the 2014 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title that led to NCAA Division III Football Championship appearance.
• In 2014, this talented group--Walker Davis, Dontrell Tucker, John Carlin--spearheaded the Bulldogs to rank first in passing defense at 159 yards per game and defensive passing efficiency (47.9 percent opponent completion).

MIAA INDIVIDUAL ACCOLADES UNDER COACH TYAHLA

• As an assistant defensive backs coach in 2013, he coached returning All-MIAA performers Charles Fleck and Ellis Ewing who helped the Bulldogs rank first in the conference in pass efficiency defense (96.6 ypg) and pass defense (178.4 ypg).
• In 2014, he continued to work with the defensive backs and helped that group become one of the best in the MIAA. Fleck was the best of the group, gaining all-region honors and All-MIAA First Team Defense. There was also fellow All-MIAA First Teamer Ewing and All-MIAA Second Teamer Curtis Rhoden. 
• Coached freshman Chris Adams to 2015 All-MIAA second-team status. In addition, Adams gained player of the week honors from national organizations at different points of the season.
• In 2016, Adams switched to linebacker and Tyahla saw him make an immediate impact on that position as well. Adams made first-team All-MIAA in both 2016 and '17, leading last year's Bulldogs with a career-high 58 total tackles among 35 solos.
• Linebackers Tim McPhee and Adams, both seniors, earned 2018 All-MIAA with the latter named to the first team for the third-straight season. McPhee posted a career-best 91 tackles to lead the defense, while Adams finished with 215 stops for his career. 
• The 2019 campaign saw defensive backs senior Shawn Starks and sophomore Brandon Kwiatkowski achieve All-MIAA second team status for the first time. Starks finished his career with 18 pass-breakups, which is fifth-most in school history, and Kwiatkowski led the AC secondary with career highs of 41 tackles and 64 total in his first season as a starter.

AS A BULLDOG STUDENT-ATHLETE

• Tyahla completed his Adrian playing career in the fall of 2012, helping the team to a MIAA crown.
• Appeared in 23 games over three seasons. 

PERSONAL LIFE

• A native of South Lyon, Mich., and attended South Lyon High School.