MEMPHIS, Tenn. — University of Memphis head football coach Ryan Silverfield announced the addition of Tiger alum Lou Esposito to the coaching staff on Wednesday.
Esposito will serve as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, according to the university. Esposito, a four-year letterman for the Tigers from 1997-2000, has 21 years of coaching experience.
“We are thrilled with the addition of Lou Esposito our coaching staff,” Silverfield said. “A former Tiger is coming home, and he will have a great impact on our defense and our program.”
Esposito returns to Memphis after spending the past seven seasons as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan, the university said. Esposito also served as the defensive line coach from 2017 to 2019 before shifting to defensive ends for the 2020 campaign.
“My family and I are thrilled to be back where football started for me,” Esposito said. “I look forward to building on the immense success that Ryan Silverfield and his staff have already begun. The future is bright for Memphis Football. Go Tigers Go!”
In 2023, Esposito guided defensive end Marshawn Kneeland to Second-Team All-MAC honors, while cornerback Keni-H Lovely earned third-team accolades, the UofM said.
Esposito’s impact on the Bronco defense in 2019 was felt in the scoring column as WMU held opponents to just 25.9 points per game to stand second in the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos also went from 12th in the league in pass efficiency defense (160.69) in 2018 to seventh (136.70) under Esposito’s direction in 2019. Western Michigan exceptionally stout in pass defense during the latter portion of the 2019 campaign, the university said.
Esposito also coached Freddie Bishop, who went on to play for the New York Jets in the NFL. Paul Hazel was another NFL disciple of Esposito’s, spending time with the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans and New York Giants.
During his playing days at Memphis, Esposito was a four-year letterwinner on the offensive line and served as the team captain in 1999 and 2000.
Upon graduation, he signed a professional contract to play for the Arena Football League’s Memphis Xplorers in 2001 and went on to join the Xplorers’ coaching staff in 2002 and 2003.
Esposito and his wife, Brooke, have four children: Louis J. Esposito IV, Emilia Rose, Anthony and Mason.
