Josh Conklin begins his second season with FIU football as the Panthers’ defensive coordinator.
In 2012, Conklin served as the safeties coach for former head coach Derek Dooley at the University of Tennessee.
Prior to his stint in Knoxville, Conklin served as defensive coordinator and safeties coach under Kevin Higgins at The Citadel in 2010 and 2011.
Conklin's Citadel defense ranked third in the Southern Conference in total defense in 2011. That season, seven of 11 Bulldogs opponents were limited to fewer than 20 points, and in 2010, eight of 11 foes scored fewer than 20.
The Citadel allowed averages of 23.4 points and 343.8 yards an outing to rank second and third, respectively, in the league in 2011. In his first season in 2010, the Bulldogs ranked third in the conference in total defense, allowing 338.4 yards per game.
Also during Conklin's tenure with The Citadel, cornerback Cortez Allen was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 NFL Draft and played in 15 games as well as the NFL Wild Card playoff game against the Denver Broncos. Defensive end Erik Clanton, who finished tied for 12th in the FCS in sacks in 2010, earned a free agent opportunity with the Steelers after originally signing with the Montreal Alouettes.
Prior to joining the staff at The Citadel, Conklin spent three seasons coaching defensive backs (2007-09) at Wofford and added special teams to his responsibilities in his final season in Spartanburg.
In his first two years working with the cornerbacks, two earned All-Southern Conference honors. Under Conklin's assistance, the Terriers led the Southern Conference in scoring defense with 24.8 points allowed per game in 2007. Overall, the Terriers led the conference with 20 interceptions. In 2008, the Terriers were tied for second in the Southern Conference with 13 interceptions.
Conklin began his coaching career at South Dakota State, serving as a graduate assistant in 2003 and 2004 before being elevated to a full-time position coaching the secondary and special teams during the 2005-06 seasons.
In 2006, South Dakota finished 21st in the nation in the final College Sporting News coaches poll. Conklin's secondary ranked second in the Great West Conference in pass defense, allowing just 165.4 yards per game through the air, while the kickoff return and kickoff coverage teams were the top-ranked units in the Great West Conference.
A native of Gillette, Wyo., Conklin graduated from Campbell County High School in 1998 before enrolling at Dakota State. A 2003 graduate with a degree in physical education, Conklin started at linebacker his junior and senior seasons and was an Academic All-America selection. Conklin earned a masters degree in sports administration in 2008 from South Dakota State.
Conklin and his wife, Molly, reside in South Florida with their son, Clark.
