Diehl is entering his second season as a part of the Cornell sprint football coaching staff, focusing on the interior Defensive Line. He joined the Cornell Faculty and Staff in November 2016 as the Professor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer of Naval ROTC.
Diehl is a native of Springfield, Virginia where he played football, baseball, wrestled and track & field at West Springfield High School. He was a three-year starter and letterman at Virginia Military Institute, playing defensive tackle and receiving the Dr. Martin D. Delaney, Jr Award as the most improved football player in 1986. Following his graduation in 1988, Diehl was commissioned as a Naval Officer. His sea duty and operational assignments include: USS CHARLES F. ADAMS (DDG 2), where he served as Damage Control Assistant; USS DALE (CG 19) where he served as First Lieutenant and Navigator; Operations Officer in USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) and USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (CG 71); Executive Officer in USS MCFAUL (DDG 74); and Chief Staff Officer DESTROYER SQUADRON TWO EIGHT (CDS 28).
Diehl’s operational command tours include Mobile Security Squadron SEVEN home ported in Guam, Mobile Security Squadron TWELVE / Commander Task Group 56.7 forward deployed to CENTCOM, and Commander, Coastal Riverine Group TWO (CRG 2) in Norfolk, Virginia. His most recent assignment was as the Commander, Task Force SEVEN FIVE (CTF 75) / Commander, Naval Expeditionary Forces Command Pacific in Guam. His shore assignments include: U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) assigned to Strategy and Joint Requirements Directorate (J8), Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) assigned to Fleet Requirements (N8) as SEA SHIELD and SEA SHAPING requirements officer, and Director of Fleet Operations for Commander, U.S. SECOND FLEET.
Diehl is a 1994 graduate of the Naval Post Graduate School where he received a Master of Science degree in Manpower and Personnel Analysis. He received Joint Professional Military Education (JPME I) from the Air Command and Staff College, and JPME II from Joint Forces Staff College. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign and service awards. Diehl was presented the Black Beret by the Game Wardens Association for leadership and designated as an honorary Chief Petty Officer by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on August 8, 2014.
Diehl is excited with the opportunity to return to the football grid iron and continue his deep passion for coaching and developing leaders. Diehl and his wife, Kim, have three children and one grandson.
