Lyle Hemphill, who served on the University of Delaware football staff as a graduate assistant during the 2004-05 seasons, has returned to the Blue Hens to serve as cornerbacks coach.
A Delaware native who played at St. Elizabeth High School, Hemphill spent the last four seasons at Hofstra University as an assistant to head coach and former UD defensive coordinator Dave Cohen. Hofstra, Delaware’s rival in the Colonial Athletic Association, dropped the sport this past winter. At Delaware, he will assist defensive coordinator Nick Rapone with the UD secondary.
Hemphill joined the Hofstra staff as a defensive assistant in 2006 when Cohen was named head coach and later served as defensive backs coach for three seasons and special teams coordinator for two years. As defensive backs coach, he directed a unit that annually ranked among the conference leaders in interceptions and pass defense.
The Lyle Hemphill File
College: Bachelor's Degree in Politics with minor in Exercise and Sports Science, 2001; Master's Degree in Education Administration, University of Delaware, 2005 College Coaching Career: 2002-04: Defensive Backs, Special Teams Coordinator, Delaware Valley College 2004-05: Graduate Assistant, University of Delaware 2006-09: Cornerbacks, Defensive Backs, Special Teams Coordinator, Hofstra University 2010-Current: Cornerbacks, University of Delaware Family: Wife, Christen Recruiting Areas: Pennsylvania (Bucks County), Maryland (Baltimore, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester counties); Southeast Florida (Brevard, Broward, Glades, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee, West Palm Beach, St. Lucie counties)
Hofstra led the CAA and ranked No. 4 in the nation in pass defense in 2008 and ranked second in the league in interceptions with 12 in 2007. The 2009 team ranked fourth in the CAA in pass defense. On special teams, Hofstra ranked second in the CAA in kickoff returns in 2008 and fourth in 2009.
A 2002 graduate of Ursinus (Pa.) College, Hemphill began his coaching career in 2002 when he served as special team coordinator and defensive backs coach at Delaware Valley College. After two seasons with the Aggies, which included a 9-2 mark in 2003, he accepted the graduate assistantship at Delaware.
While at Delaware in 2004 and 2005 he worked on the defensive side of the ball and also assisted with punt team protection and punt block. The 2004 Blue Hen squad posted a record of 9-3, won the Atlantic 10 South Division title, and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals.
In 2006 Hemphill joined Cohen's Hofstra coaching staff as defensive backs assistant. He was promoted to defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator following the 2006 season and assumed the special teams coordinator's role in 2008.
Hemphill earned a bachelor's degree in politics and international relations from Ursinus and also earned a master's degree in education administration from the Delaware.
He played strong safety for four years at Ursinus and also competed for the wrestling team for one season. He served as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater, St. Elizabeth High School in Wilmington. His father, Joe, is one of the most successful high school football coaches in Delaware history, serving at St. Elizabeth for over 35 years.
Lyle and his wife, Christen, reside in Ambler, Pa.
