North Central College Cardinals

Shane Dierking '14/M '16 returned to the North Central College coaching staff prior to the 2018 season as the Cardinals' defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Dierking was promoted to the position of assistant head coach in 2022 and shifted focus to the Cardinals' linebackers the same season.

The 2022 season saw the Cardinals lead all NCAA Division III teams in scoring defense (6.7 points allowed per game) while leading the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) in total defense (209.4 yards allowed per game), rushing defense (52.7 ypg), passing defense (156.7 ypg), defensive passing efficiency (93.0), quarterback sacks (50) and interceptions (25). The Cardinals' efforts in scoring defense, rushing defense and passing defense all set new North Central single-season records, and they twice broke the single-game program record for fewest yards allowed against Elmhurst University (81) and in a first-round playoff win over Lake Forest College (66).

In 2024, Dierking's defensive unit led the nation in third-down defense (25.0%) and red-zone defense (52.6%) as the Cardinals went 15-0 en route to a third national championship in four seasons. North Central led the CCIW in total defense (265.0 ypg), scoring defense (11.8 ppg), rushing defense (87.5 ypg), passing defense (177.5 ypg), defensive passing efficiency (102.29), quarterback sacks (29) and interceptions (19). 

Dierking coached at nearby Benedictine University during the 2016 and 2017 campaigns, starting as the Eagles' defensive backs coach before being promoted to the position of defensive coordinator. He also assisted with special-teams coaching and led weekly character development and leadership training sessions. Dierking began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at North Central from 2014-2016.




Benedictine University 2016-2017

• 13-7 overall record in two seasons
  • 9-3 in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) play
  • Seven All-NACC selections

North Central College 2018-present

•    81-5 overall record in five seasons
  • 22 All-America awards for North Central defensive players
  • 25 First Team All-CCIW selections
    • 2022 CCIW Co-Defensive Player of the Year Dan Lester '23
    • 2023 CCIW Defensive Player of the Year Martin Egbo M '25
    • 2024 CCIW Co-Defensive Player of the Year and D3football.com Region 5 Defensive Player of the Year John Sullivan '26
• 2022 - Division III national leader in scoring defense (6.7 ppg)
  • 2022 single-season program records for scoring defense, rushing defense (52.7 ypg) and total defense (209.4 ypg)
• 2024- Division III national leader in third-down defense (25.0%) and red-zone defense (52.0%)

• Native of Wheaton, Illinois
  • Son of eight-year NFL veteran running back Scott Dierking
• Played in school-record 51 games at North Central from 2010-2013
  • 44-7 overall record
  • Four College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Championships
  • 2013 national semifinalists
• 2013 CCIW and D3football.com North Region Defensive Player of the Year
• 2013 D3football.com First Team All-American
• North Central's all-time leader in interceptions (16)
  • Tied single-season record for interceptions (8) in 2013
• Graduated from North Central with bachelor's degree in management and entrepreneurship (2014) and MBA with emphasis in management (2016)