The 48-year-old Bleil spent the 2004 season as the offensive tackles/tight ends coach under Walt Harris at Pittsburgh as the Panthers went to their first-ever BCS bowl game when they took part in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl versus Utah.
He served the 2003 season under Joe Novak at Northern Illinois, knocking off traditional powers Alabama and Maryland en route to posting a school-record 10-2 mark, and one year (2002) at South Dakota.
Bleil also has head-coaching experience, having led the Western Carolina program for five years (1997-01). During that span, he was named 2001 Southern Conference Coach of the Year and led the Catamounts to their first winning season since 1994 with a 6-5 mark in 1998. Also during his time there, he coached current Carolina Panthers running back Brad Hoover.
Prior to that stint in Cullowhee, N.C., Bleil served four seasons at Pacific (1992-95) and two years at Northwestern (1990-91). He was the offensive line coach at both stops before being elevated to offensive coordinator for the final three years with Pacific.
