John Perin was named the Panthers’ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the beginning of January 2017. The former Morehead State special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach brings eight years of college coaching experience with stops at the FBS, FCS, and Division three levels.
During a shortened 2021 spring season, the Panthers’ defense produced eight all-conference performers. The Panther defense surpassed more milestones during the season, raising the standard even higher than before. Holding opponents to 2.6 yards per carry and only 83 yards per game. The run defense was led by all-conference line backers Myles Myers and Garrett Stevens. The defensive backs were led by all-conference corners DJ Albright and Wes Guilford as well as safeties Carson Walter and Jimmy Anderson.
The Panther defense raised the bar even higher during the 2019 season. It posted the top ranked red zone defense in the Southern Athletic Association and also broke the single season sack record as well as the school record for pass break-ups in a season (set by junior Wes Guilford). The much-improved defensive unit boasted eight All-SAA nominations, also a school record.
During Perin’s second season, the defense continued their improvement. Six All-SAA selections propelled the defense in all areas. Senior linebacker, Sy Butler, became the all-time leading tackler in school history while cornerback, Matthew Byers became the all-time leader in interceptions.
Under Perin, the Panthers showed much improvement in 2017. Nationally ranked in multiple categories, BSC was 16th in the nation on fourth down and 22nd in interceptions.
Perin spent two seasons at Morehead State where the defense and special teams both saw major improvements. Perin helped engineer the second largest improvement in scoring defense (43.6 to 25.3) across all of Division 1 during the 2015 season. The defense finished sixth in the county in interceptions with SR Corner Justin Greer leading all individuals in FCS with nine interceptions. Greer went on to be named a unanimous first-team all-conference corner and was also named an AP All-American.
The kick coverage units and kickoff return unit made significant improvements during the 2015 season. When Trevor Jones returned a punt for a touchdown during the 2016 season it marked the first time since the 2007 season a punt was returned for a touchdown. In the two years Perin was the special teams coordinator, four players were named to the all-conference team including first-team selection long snapper Jakey Dunagan and two time selection Pat DiSalvio at punter.
He served as a graduate assistant coaching the cornerbacks at Eastern Michigan in 2014. Perin was in charge of all pass-game related information on the scouting reports and coached the corners. He helped mentor Kevin Johnson, who totaled 97 tackles and made two interceptions.
Perin spent the 2013 season at Capital, where he was defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Defensive back Anthony Cicione was named All-Ohio Athletic Conference.
From 2010-12, Perin served as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Centre. The Colonels led the Southern Collegiate Athletic Association in scoring and total defense in 2010, while the punt team led the nation in net yardage in 2010 and 2012 and finished second nationally in 2011.
In 2011, Perin helped the Colonels to their first-ever appearance and victory in the Division III playoffs, and Centre finished the 2011 season ranked 16th in the D3Football.com and American Football Coaches Association Top 25 polls. He coached seven all-conference honorees during his tenure.
He began his coaching career at Muskingum in 2009, serving as a graduate assistant cornerbacks coach.
Perin started his collegiate playing career as a redshirt at Miami in 2003. The RedHawks won the Mid-American Conference title and claimed a victory in the GMAC Bowl. Miami finished as the No. 10 team in the country in the final Associated Press top-25 poll.
Perin transferred to Centre and was a four-year starter. He was named All-SCAC in 2007 as a defensive back.
A native of Cincinnati, Oh., Perin earned his bachelor’s degree in financial economics from Centre College in 2008. Perin and his wife Megan have one daughter, Burris Bell.
