UTEP head football coach Dana Dimel announced the hiring of Zach Tenuta as defensive quality control.
Tenuta served two seasons at Norfolk State, working with outside linebackers (2018) and defensive line (2017).
Last season, the Spartans ranked second in pass defense (149.9 avg.) and third in total defense (345.1 average per game) in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
In 2017, Tenuta coached a pair of All-MEAC performers on the Spartan defensive line. Chris Lee earned first-team All-MEAC honors, while Nigel Chavis was a third-team selection after ranking ninth in the MEAC in tackles.
Before heading to NSU, Tenuta was at Chowan University where he served as the defensive line coach in 2016. In his one year with the Hawks, Tenuta mentored two All-CIAA players.
Prior to Chowan, Tenuta spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Virginia (2014-15), working with the defensive ends. In 2015, Tenuta coached Trent Corney, who went on to be selected ninth overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the following year’s Canadian Football League Draft. He also mentored Mike Moore, a CFL import player, who helped the Ottawa REDBLACKS win the 2016 Grey Cup championship.
Tenuta’s first coaching job came at Middle Creek High School in Apex, N.C. He served as the defensive ends and linebackers coach in his lone season with the Mustangs as the team posted a 12-3 record and advanced to the 4AA state semifinals.
A standout football and lacrosse player at Walton High School in Marietta, Ga., Tenuta continued his football playing career at the collegiate level. Tenuta competed as a tight end at Marshall University from 2008-10 before completing his athletic career at the University of Akron. He returned to Marshall and earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2013.
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