Todd Auer will begin his 9th season as the defensive coordinator for the Mountaineers in 2024, bringing over 30 years of coaching experience to the Western football program.
Auer’s impact was immediate upon his arrival at Western, transforming the Mountaineer defense into one of the best in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). In his first season, Western led the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 16.7 points per game, which was also the ninth best in Division II. Furthermore, his defense ranked fourth in Division II in red zone defense.
Throughout his tenure at Western, Auer’s defenses have been notable for their strong performances, including three shutouts: a 27-0 victory over Black Hills State University in 2016, a 58-0 win against New Mexico Highlands the following game, and a 31-0 triumph over Fort Lewis in 2019.
Before joining Western, Auer spent two seasons as the inside linebackers coach at Division I Southern Illinois University (SIU). There, he coached the team’s leading tackler to an all-conference recognition and had two linebackers ranked in the top five in the conference for tackles per game.
Auer’s familiarity with the RMAC extends beyond Western, having served as the defensive coordinator at Colorado Mesa University for two years and spending 23 years at Chadron State College. At Chadron State, he was the defensive coordinator for 17 seasons, during which time his defenses led the RMAC 13 times. Under his leadership, the Eagles posted a 153-48 overall record, won eight RMAC titles, and were ranked in the final Division II national top 10 poll five times. In 2008, Auer was a finalist for the Division II Coordinator of the Year, and in 2010, his defense ranked fourth nationally in total defense.
Auer began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Western Illinois in 1989, where he had been a four-year letterwinner and set the school record with 28 career sacks.
Originally from Wisconsin, Auer played linebacker for the Green Bay Packers for three games in 1987. He and his wife, Kim, have three daughters—Alyssa, Brayden, and Aspen—and one son, Cole.