Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-532
Story written by secondary contact Alex Mielcarz, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, ajmielcarz@noctrl.edu
FootballScoop Release
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Dec. 17, 2025) – North Central College Defensive Coordinator Shane Dierking was announced as FootballScoop's Division III Coordinator of the Year after being voted on by past winners of the award, marking the second time he has been selected for the honor (2022).
"It is a testament to the work ethic of our Defensive Players and Defensive Coaches," Dierking said. "It is the collective work that they do year-round; I am just fortunate to watch them all excel at their roles on a daily basis."
Dierking was a difference maker on the gridiron for the Cardinals during his playing days. From 2010 to 2013, Dierking patrolled the defensive backfield and was a historic ballhawk, nabbing eight interceptions in his senior campaign and 16 total over his illustrious career (both program records).
Now, he's a difference maker on the sideline.
"It is special to continue to be able to be a part of a program that molded me into a better all-around person," Dierking said.
Dierking, who started his tenure in 2018 as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, was promoted to assistant head coach when Brad Spencer was named head coach of the football program before the 2022 season.
"Every day I think of how blessed I am to have him in my life and on our staff," Spencer said. "He has a great staff he works with each day, and he gives them the tools and leadership they need to be where they are at."
This season, Dierking has coached six D3football All-Region selections and nine All-College Conference of Illinois & Wiscsonsin selections. He also coached the CCIW Defensive Player of the Year, an AFCA All-American and the Region 5 Defensive Player of the Year in John Sullivan.
"Our players are the reason the program continues to elevate," Dierking said. "I am grateful to be positively impacted by them every day."
Dierking's impact goes beyond just his players and his defensive unit. Coach Spencer, who won the honor as the Cardinals' offensive coordinator in 2019, sees it every day.
"Everything he does is to serve our young men, everything," he said. "How he treats them, how he coaches them, how he disciplines them. It's all in an effort to live out our mission of developing All-American young men.
"As a head coach, it's vitally important to, number one, choose coaches around you who will align with your ethos," Spencer continued, "and number two, as the head coach, you need to have a small number of people you can go to for honesty, guidance, advice, listening…essentially for the truth."
Spencer's praise for his right-hand man doesn't stop there.
"His level of coaching every day challenges me to be a better coach," he said. "I am thrilled he won."
Entering this weekend's semifinal, Dierking's defensive unit ranks in the top ten nationally in third down conversion percentage (fifth), defensive touchdowns (second), red zone defense (first), scoring defense (first), passing efficiency defense (fifth) and total defense (eighth).
As a staff, we try to do our part to enhance the experience for North Central College football players every day," Dierking said. "Five of our seven full-time coaches are North Central alumni, which should make our alumni base proud."
The Cardinals take on John Carroll University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the NCAA Division III Championship Semifinals inside Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
