Pees to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

The University of Findlay athletic department is pleased to announce that former Oilers assistant football coach and current Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator, Dean Pees, will enter the Hall of Fame as the 2018 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is a part of the Oilers Athletic Hall of Fame and was established in 2013 to honor outstanding Oilers who have attained an extremely high level of success in their industry, sport or profession.  This success may or may not have a connection to a Varsity "F" letter earned at the University of Findlay. This award serves as humble appreciation for the recipient who has brought positive recognition and distinction to the University of Findlay athletics and the University of Findlay as an institution.

Pees has had an incredible career as a coach across all levels and has two Super Bowl rings to show for it. He got his start at Findlay under Strahm and served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach from 1979-82. While at Findlay, Pees played a key role in helping the Oilers capture the 1979 NAIA national championship and helped lead Findlay to a 23-6-1 record during his tenure with the program.

After getting his start at Findlay, Pees later served as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Miami (Ohio) from 1983-86 before becoming the secondary coach at Navy from 1987-89. He would then serve as defensive coordinator at Toledo from 1990-93, secondary coach at Notre Dame in 1994 under Lou Holtz and defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Michigan State from 1995-97 on Nick Saban's staff.

Pees became a collegiate head coach for the first time in 1998 when he took the reins of Kent State's program. He would compile 17 wins for the Golden Flashes from 1998-2003 before leaving the collegiate game for the NFL.

Pees got his start in the NFL as a linebackers coach for the New England Patriots in 2004 under Bill Belichick. In his first season on staff, the Patriots finished the regular season with a 14-2 record and went on to win Super Bowl XXXIX by a score of 24-21 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Patriots would promote Pees to defensive coordinator in 2006 and he held that title until 2009. During his time as defensive coordinator in New England, the Patriots won three AFC East titles (2006, 2007, 2009). In 2007, the Patriots finished the regular season unblemished with a 16-0 record. They would later fall by a score of 17-14 to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

Pees would join the Baltimore Ravens staff in 2010 and spent his first two seasons in Baltimore as their linebackers coach. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2012, a position he still holds today, and helped lead the Ravens to a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.

The 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame induction and ceremony will take place on Jan. 27, 2018 in Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Doors will open at 10:15 a.m. and the induction/luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. The registration fee is $25 for adults, $15 for minors and free for children ages 6 and younger. To register in advance, visit findlay.edu/events or call (419) 434-4516.