April 2, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College head football coach Jeff Filkovski announced the hiring of Denny Dorrel as the Pioneers' new defensive coordinator. Dorrel, who held the same position at Thomas More (Ky.) College during the 2005 and 2006 seasons, began his duties on Monday (March 31) morning.

“I had the privilage of working with Denny for a year at Thomas More,” Filkovski said. “I quickly learned that he is a bright defensive mind, who is an aggressive leader and someone I can lean on to run our defense.”

A native of Brookville, Indiana, Dorrel spent five seasons with the Saints, serving as the defensive line coach for three seasons before moving up the defensive coordinator role. While the defensive coordinator at Thomas More, he coached 15 All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) players and four All-American standouts. In 2006, Dorrel led the top-ranked defense in PAC, which also finished 25th in the nation. Dorrel also served as the men’s head tennis coach from 2005-06.

Dorrel is a 2001 graduate of Hanover College with a Bachelor of Arts in communications. He was a four-year member of the Panther football team, putting on the pads from 1997-2000. As a senior, the captain earned All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) honors. Dorrel helped Hanover win three HCAC Championships and make three NCAA Division III Football Championship appearances while totaling a four-year record of 37-7.

“I want to thank coach Filkovski for giving me an opportunity here at Marietta,” Dorrel said. “I look forward to getting on the field this spring and working with the players as we begin to implement the new defensive scheme.”

Dorrel and his wife Sarah live in Marietta.

The Pioneers will not have to wait until the fall to become acclimated with the new coaching staff, as they will begin their four-week nontraditional season on Saturday (April 5) morning with an 8 a.m. hour-long practice at Don Drumm Stadium. [Spring schedule]