D.J. Durkin Position: Graduate Assistant Alma Mater: Bowling Green '01

The 2004 season was D.J. Durkin's second as a graduate assistant coach at Notre Dame, working on the defensive side of the ball. He assists with all aspects of the defense, particularly the defensive line.

Durkin joined the Notre Dame staff in 2003 after serving as the defensive ends coach and a graduate assistant coach at Bowling Green in 2001-02. He worked specifically with the defensive ends and assisted with all aspects of special teams.

While at Bowling Green, the Falcons were 9-3 in 2002 and were ranked in the top 20 of both major polls. In 2001, the Bowling Green defense was first in the conference in total defense, in addition to leading the league in four other major defensive categories. Durkin also coached fourth-team All-American and first-team all-conference selection Brandon Hicks.

A four-year starter at defensive end and outside linebacker for the Falcons as a player, he was elected a two-year captain by his teammates. He also received a number of awards during his career including the Ken Schoeni Award for character and toughness, the Carlos Jackson Award for personifying the values of a true student-athlete, and the Leadership Award for displaying great leadership. Durkin earned a bachelor's degree in business marketing from Bowling Green in 2001, and a master's degree in educational administration and supervision from BGSU in May of 2004.

Born Jan. 15, 1978 in Youngstown, Ohio, Durkin is married to the former Sarah Brumback. The couple resides in South Bend, Ind.