Cornell University Athletics

The Big Red safeties have become big-time playmakers in Cornell[apos]s defensive schemes. He was largely responsible for the development of two-time All-Ivy selection Kevin Rex, as well as young safeties Michael Boyd and Tim Bax. In two seasons, the group has been responsible for 35.5 tackles for loss, 27 pass breakups, eight forced fumbles, five blocked kicks and seven interceptions. They also played key roles in the run defense, which has ranked second nationally in Division I-AA over the past two years, allowing just 94.7 yards per game.

In his first season, Beerwinkel coached a group that had several linebackers switching positions and turned them into one of the hardest-hitting defensive backfields in the Ancient Eight.

Besides his work on the field, Beerwinkel has coordinated two recruiting classes ranked among the best in the Ivy League. Of the 40 players who entered Cornell in the Fall of 2005, 12 showed up on the two-deep as freshmen en route to a 6-4 campaign.

Beerwinkel joined the Cornell staff after serving as the director of football operations at Western Michigan in 2003. He also worked as a defensive graduate assistant with the Broncos for three seasons, including time during Coach Jim Knowles[apos] tenure at WMU.

The Brenham, Texas, native previously spent four seasons at Blinn Junior College in Texas, working full-time with the quarterbacks, receivers and running backs. He also served as recruiting coordinator and had four players advance to the NFL.

Beerwinkel earned a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas in 1997. While in Austin, he worked four years as a student coach/equipment manager. Beerwinkel earned a master[apos]s degree in sports administration from Western Michigan in 2003 and a master[apos]s degree in health and human performance from Prairie View A&M in 2001.

Beerwinkel resides in Ithaca with his wife, Amanda.