Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Tye Desiderio, a four-year starter as a member of the IUP football team from 2002-05, is in his second season as a graduate assistant coach with the Crimson Hawks and will be in charge of the team's running backs.

Desiderio was on the staff at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas, the previous two years and is completing his master's degree in kinesiology. He is pursuing a second master's in geographical information systems at IUP. Desiderio earned his bachelor's degree in geography with a minor in history from IUP in 2007.

While at Midwestern State, Desiderio was an offensive graduate assistant and coached running backs for the Mustangs. He also served as video coordinator, including offensive computer breakdown, equipment room manager and counselor at summer football camps.

Desiderio, a native of Kittanning, played in 41 of 44 games during his playing career at IUP and had totals of 199 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. He was the team's leading tackler with 91 in 2005.

Desiderio was a captain as a senior and played on three PSAC West championship teams, including the 2002 squad that reached the NCAA playoffs and defeated Saginaw Valley State in the opening round to advance to the Northeast Region title game.

After his playing days were over, Desiderio was a defensive student assistant coach at IUP while completing his undergraduate academic career. He worked with the defensive ends, did the defensive computer breakdown and was responsible for film exchange and freshman study hall.