Granville Eastman is in his 10th season as an Austin Peay assistant, his eighth as defensive coordinator. He recently returned to the secondary after spening the previous two years coaching linebackers.
When former assistant Steve Haywood elected to return to the offensive side of the football after the 2004 season, it was only natural that Eastman was elevated. He previously had served as the right hand to Haywood on the defense.
Eastman was instrumental in helping a young defense mature in 2006 and elevate its performance to an even higher level in 2007-a sophomore dominated group-as APSU finished eighth in FCS for turnovers gained (31).
In addition, Eastman again will assist with the Govs special teams, an area that has displayed marked improvement in recent seasons.
The energetic assistant came to APSU in Spring 2003 from Tiffin (Ohio) University, where he served as a defensive assistant for four seasons.
Eastman was so impressive in the interview process, the Govs delayed spring practice so proper paperwork could be finalized in the hiring process for the Toronto, Canada native.
Eastman was afforded increased responsibility in each of his four years at Tiffin. In 1999, he was hired as secondary coach while also serving as the program's academic advisor and recruiting coordinator. A year later, he was elevated to defensive coordinator in charge of the defensive line while continuing to serve as recruiting coordinator. In 2001, again he served as defensive coordinator while working with the secondary
During Summer 2002, he served an intership with the NFL's Detroit Lions and he did the same in Summer 2004 with the Arizona Cardinals, learning more about special teams play.
With APSU hosting the Tennessee Titans training camp on campus, Summer 2006, Eastman arranged a third NFL internship with the Nashville-based club, working with former Govs assistant Everett Withers, now at Ohio State, with the secondary.
He served his fourth internship a year ago with the Indianapolis Colts just prior to practice starting and was at the Minnesota Viikings training camp before the Govs' 2012 practice started. .
Eastman was a two-time all-city defensive back at Leaock High School in Toronto before attending Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Canada.
There, he was a three-year letterman as a defensive back. Twice Saint Mary's played in national title games while he was there.
Eastman served one year as a volunteer coach at York University in Toronto before deciding to pursue a coaching career. From 1996-98, he served as graduate assistant at Arkansas State (1995-98) before going to working at Tiffin in 1999.
He is married to the former Lynnette Armstrong. They are the proud parents of sons J.R. and Brandon.
