East Texas A&M University Athletics

Scott Power was hired as defensive coordinator at A&M-Commerce in April 2018.

Power comes to Commerce after two very successful seasons as the defensive coordinator at Central Washington University.
 
"We are thrilled to have Scott Power join our staff and lead our defense! There was tremendous interest in this job, by some very successful defensive coaches, but Coach Power stood out among the rest as the best fit for our program," Carthel said. "While he is considered one of the best defensive coordinators in the country, with a National Championship under his belt, I think his ability to mold and mentor his players is his greatest strength.  Lion Football scored a big win with this hire!"
 
"I am super excited to join the Lion Football family," Power said. "I'm very appreciative of Coach Carthel and his staff for this opportunity. I look forward to trying to add to the already strong foundation that's been laid there and hopefully continuing to win championships in the Lone Star Conference and contend at the national level. I cannot wait to get to Commerce, meet the team, and get started."
 
In two seasons with Central Washington, Power turned the Wildcats' defense around. After ranking near the bottom of the NCAA in scoring defense prior to his arrival in Ellensburg, the Wildcats ranked 19^th nationally in that category in 2017. CWU ranked in the top 10 in the nation in rushing defense (first), sacks(first), total defense (third), third down defense (third), tackles for loss (fourth), and red zone defense (eighth). CWU was the national leader in rushing defense and sacks.
 
 In 2017, CWU led the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, takeaways, third down defense, red zone defense, tackles for loss, and sacks.
 
The 2017 Wildcat defense featured the D2CCA Super Region Four Defensive Player of the Year and won six All-American and nine All-Region honors. Central Washington was undefeated in the regular season and earned the top seed in Super Region Four before ultimately falling to A&M-Commerce, as the second step on the Lions' National Championship run.
 
In his first season with the Wildcats, he turned the CWU defense into one of the nation's best.  The CWU defense was ranked in the top 25 in total defense, rush defense, red zone defense and sacks.  The Wildcats led all NCAA schools, including Division I, in tackles for loss per game with 10.7.
 
The 2016 defense held its opponents to under 100 yards rushing in eight of its 10 games, including six games where opponents gained 50 yards or less on the ground.  They finished 5th in the NCAA in rush defense.
 
Before his time at CWU, Power helped lead Marian (Ind.) University to back-to-back trips to the NAIA national championship game, with Marian coming out the victor in 2015.  In four 2015 playoff games, Marian allowed a total of 38 points, allowing just 256.3 yards per game and less than four yards a snap. The Knights ranked second in the nation in scoring defense, third in total defense, first in run defense and sacks and fourth in pass efficiency defense.  The 2015 Marian defense held nine out of their fourteen opponents to 14 points or less; including four opponents ranked in the top 10 in the country. 
 
After the Knights' NAIA National Championship, FootballScoop.com named Power 2015 NAIA Coordinator of the Year.  He was also named the 2015 Mid-States Football Association Assistant Coach of the Year.  Power was also a finalist for the Footballscoop.com NAIA Coordinator of the Year after the 2014 season. 
 
In 2014, Power led MU to another outstanding season on defense. MU was ranked in the top 16 in the country in six categories and the top five in two. The Knights ranked second in rushing defense, giving up just 77.1 yards rushing per game. MU also ranked fourth in sacks.  Power's defense set single-season school records for interceptions (29), tackles for loss (103), sacks (39) and blocked kicks (10) in 2014.  During his three seasons at Marian, Power guided 19 Knights to All-MSFA Mideast League honors and he coached 2 AFCA All-Americans.
 
Prior to Marian University, Power served as an assistant coach at Wartburg College for four seasons. He served as defensive line coach in 2009 and 2010 before moving to the linebackers coach in 2011 and 2012. During his time at Wartburg, Power coached four All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) First Team selections, two NCAA Division III All-Americans and two NCAA Division III All-West Region players. 
 
Wartburg set a single-season school record for fewest rushing yards allowed in 2012, as Power coached the IIAC's top-ranked total defense and rushing defense and had a defense that also led the IIAC with the most tackles for loss, most sacks and fewest opponent first downs in 2012. His defense also led the IIAC in scoring defense and was the second-best total defense in 2011.
 
In 2010, Power's defense led the Knights to an IIAC championship and the NCAA Division III playoffs after a perfect 10-0 regular season. The Knights were ranked 11th in the final AFCA poll and had three wins over top 20 opponents. During his time at Wartburg, the Knights went a combined 30-11, earned an IIAC title and a postseason appearance.
 
The Fowler, Ind., native played at both Wisconsin-Platteville and Hanover College before pursuing a professional career in Europe and the Arena Football League.  After earning his bachelor's degree at IUPUI, Power then served as the Defensive Coordinator at Benton Central High School in Oxford, Ind., for two seasons.
 
Power and his wife, Megan, have two sons - Troy and Thad - and one daughter - Tatum.