College: Appalachian State University, 1985

OSU Coaching History:

2012-13: Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Safeties

2012 Media Guide: Everett Withers, a 24-year coaching veteran, is in his first season as the Ohio State Buckeyes’ co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. He will also serve as the position coach for the team’s safeties.

Withers has been a collegiate coach for 17 years and has also worked seven seasons in the National Football League: six years (2001-06) as defensive backs coach with the Tennessee Titans under Jeff Fisher, and a year (1994) as a defensive quality control coach for the New Orleans Saints.

Withers has spent the last four years at the University of North Carolina. He was promoted to interim head coach at the school this past July and he led the Tar Heels to a 7-5 record and to a berth in the Independence Bowl against Missouri.

Withers’ collegiate coaching resume includes nine years as a defensive coordinator with a vast majority of his time – 15 seasons – spent also coaching the defensive backfield. His Tar Heel defenses were top notch:

• His first unit – 2008 – ranked eighth in the country with 20 interceptions, a number that was just one off the UNC single season record.
• His 2009 defense was among the nation’s elite, ranking sixth in total defense, 10th against the run, 13th in scoring and 14th in pass defense.
• His 2010 unit ranked fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 30th nationally. Five players off that unit were taken in the NFL draft, including first-round pick Robert Quinn.
• And this past year the Tar Heels ranked 14th against the run.

Additionally, Withers’ UNC defenses have picked off 71 passes in the past four years.

Withers spent one year as defensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota prior to his North Carolina position. He also has been an assistant coach at the University of Texas (1998-2000; defensive backs), Louisville (1995-97; defensive coordinator/assistant head coach/defensive backs), Southern Mississippi (1992-93; defensive backs/assistant special teams), Tulane (1991; outside linebackers) and Austin Peay (1988-90; defensive coordinator/defensive backs; tight ends/special teams).

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Withers attended Appalachian State University and was a four-year letter-winner as a defensive back. He served as team captain in 1984.

Withers and his wife, Kara, have a daughter, Tia, and a son, Pierce.