When Granville Eastman's immigration status changed in Fall 2008, leaving APSU without a valuable staff member, head coach Rick Christophel searched for a person he could trust to help with the Govs defense. He turned to someone whom he formerly coached at UAB, Dainon Sidney.
It was a perfect fit for Sidney and Austin Peay. When the former Tennessee Titans cornerback started working with APSU's secondary, he realized he found his niche-to be a college football coach.
When Eastman's immigration status was resolved, Christophel knew he also wanted to keep Sidney. When a position opened up after the 2008 season, Christophel hired Sidney as a full-time coach. He continues to coach the cornerbacks as Eastman now is concentrating on the safeties.
Austin Peay's secondary has certainly benefitted from having the former NFLer on staff. In fact, during Sidney's first season, the Govs recorded 17 interceptions - tying for eighth-most all time.
Sidney's move into coaching came after he had worked most recently in a private construction business in Nashville, where he chose to reside after retiring from professional football.
Christophel became familiar with the former NFL player when both were in Birmingham. Sidney played at UAB in 1996-97 while Christophel was serving as an assistant. The Atlanta native originally signed to play football and run track at East Tennessee before transferring to UAB. He left UAB third on the Blazers' all-time interception list (nine) and was a four-time All-Conference USA track performer.
Sidney was drafted in the fourth round of the 1998 draft by the Oilers/Titans and played with them from 1998-2002. He played in four playoff games, including Super Bowl XXXIII for the Titans.
He was a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2003 before finishing his career in Detroit in 2004. He made six career starts and had six interceptions, all with the Titans.
While with the Titans, he established Dainon Sidney Children's Foundation in 2000 which worked in conjunction with YMCA to promote literacy to inner-city children.
Sidney, an Atlanta native (Riverdale HS) was a former Metro TrackMan of the Year. In addtion to being a football star at UAB (nine career interceptions in three seasons), he also was a decorated track athlete.
He has a son, Myles, age 5.
