Evan Knight joined the Saint Francis Football coaching staff in 2015, serving as linebackers coach.
Knight coached a linebacker unit that helped SFU to be one of the top defenses in the NEC in 2015. The Red Flash was second in the league and 28th in the FCS in scoring defense, allowing 20.9 points per game. The defense allowed 309.3 total yards, topping the conference and ranking 17th in the nation. The Red Flash gave up 146.3 rushing yards per game to rank 40th in the FCS and 163 passing yards to rank ninth in the nation. SFU averaged 2.6 sacks per game to rank 25th in the FCS.
Inside linebacker senior Semo Sila led the team with 77 tackles, including 31 solo, six for loss and a sack. Sila also broke up two passes and forced a fumble. He had two double-digit tackle games, including a 14-stop performance at Towson.
At the other inside spot, junior Solomon Leaeno was second on the squad with 61 tackles, with 31 solo. He had a team-leading 12.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team-lead with four sacks. Lead the team in tackles for four straight games to end the season, including three double-digit performances.
On the outside, senior Max Ma’afala-Maiava recorded 48 tackles, with 25 solo, six for loss and 3.5 sacks as well as a forced fumble. Marcus Pickens had 23 stops, with 19 solo and 2.5 for loss. Ma’afala-Maiava earned NEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the win over Wagner, when he had five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
Two freshmen also played key roles on the linebacker units. Sean Orsini had 26 tackles, with 10 solo, 2.5 for loss and a sack. He also picked off a pass at East Tennessee State, which he returned 34 yards for a touchdown. Ben Bruni recorded 23 stops, with 12 solo, 1.5 for loss and a sack.
Knight spent the two previous years at the University of Central Missouri. Knight coached the defensive line, quarterbacks and special teams. He also helped with the strength and conditioning program.
As the defensive line coach, Knight helped Russell Allen and Jason Venckus to earn All-MIAA honors in 2014. Knight coached all position drills on special teams and helped run quarterback drills.
Knight was a four-year letterman at Central Missouri, where he started 28 games at linebacker. He compiled 179 tackles, 1.5 sacks, seven pass breakups and an interception. He was also a four-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
