Zach Crissup is in his second season on the Fairmont State football staff serving as defensive coordinator.
Crissup helped lead the FSU defense to marked improvement during his first season finishing in the top five in the league in scoring defense, rushing defense, pass defense and total defense. However, one of the biggest improvements was the team’s ability to force turnovers with 23 on the year. The Falcons led the Mountain East Conference in turnover margin in 2015.
Five FSU defenders also earned All-MEC honors from the league, including Jacob Jean-Charles who was named a first team honoree and All-Region performer. Linebackers Darius Lee, Marcus Porter and defensive end Quincy Redmon were each named to the MEC second team and safety Emanuel Ivey received honorable mention.
Crissup arrived at Fairmont State following his stint as linebackers and strength coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College since the spring of 2010.
In his time with the Golden Norsemen, Crissup coached under head coach Dale Patterson and defensive coordinator James Cheatham. In 2012, Crissup helped lead NEO to a 9-2 overall record.
Prior to taking over at Northeastern Oklahoma, Crissup coached and served as the in-school placement director for the Stillwater Public School System.
Prior to his coaching career, Crissup was a safety under coach Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State. As a safety for the Cowboys, Crissup also played under defensive coordinator Tim Beckman and safeties coach and former West Virginia University and current Kansas assistant Joe DeForest.
Crissup also served as a linebackers coach for the Ray McElroy Youth Football Camp in the summer of 2009.
Crissup is originally from Helena, Okla. and received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Oklahoma State in December of 2008. He continued his education at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan., earning a Master’s of Science degree in Health and Human Performance in December of 2011.
Crissup and his wife Stephanie have a son, Patch.
