Port Clinton grad Dartt hired at Western Kentucky

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A five-time national champion as both a player and coach, Geoff Dartt has been added to the Western Kentucky football coaching staff as offensive line coach, head coach Mike Sanford announced on Jan. 6.A 2002 Port Clinton graduate, Dartt spent the past four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Division III national power Mount Union, where he also played."Geoff comes from one of the most respected and successful football program in the country," Sanford said in a news release. "With five national championships as a player and coach, he is the right person to lead one of our tone-setting position groups, the offensive line."Sanford was hired as the new head coach of the Hilltoppers on Dec. 15 after previously holding the offensive coordinator position at Notre Dame under Brian Kelly. He replaced Jeff Brohm, who was hired as the head coach at Purdue after guiding WKU to an 11-3 season and a win over Memphis in the Boca Raton Bowl."I am thrilled to join Coach Sanford's staff here at WKU," Dartt said in the release. "There is a strong tradition of physical offensive line play on The Hill, and our goal will be to uphold that tradition and continue to have one of the most tenacious offensive fronts in the country."Dartt arrives at WKU after five seasons at his alma mater, where he also served as the offensive line coach for all five years with the Purple Raiders.Under Dartt's direction as offensive coordinator, Mount Union finished with a top-5 offense three times including the top offense in the nation in 2014. In 2014 and 2015, the Raiders posted the No. 1 scoring offense.With Dartt on staff at Mount Union, the program went 70-4 with four consecutive appearances in the Stagg Bowl, two national championships and four Ohio Athletic Conference championships.In a December 2015 interview with the Register, Dartt said he was no hurry to try and rise the coaching ranks — but noted if something came along, he'd be required to listen to any potential offers."I think in this day and age, there are people looking for the next big thing," Dartt said. "But I'm a big believer in 'be where you're at.' If something comes along, it's your job to listen to the opportunity or options."Prior to returning to Mount Union, Dartt spent four seasons (2008-11) as an assistant coach at Wheaton (Ill.) College, where he spent the first two seasons working exclusively with the offensive tackles and tight ends before transitioning to offensive line coach for his final two seasons. While at Wheaton, he also coordinated video operations, coordinated the offense for the junior varsity team and was an assistant strength coach.As a player, Dartt was a three-year letterman along the offensive line at Mount Union and won national championships as a player in 2002, 2005 and 2006 while adding All-OAC honors in 2007.During the 2005 and 2006 national championship seasons, Dartt's offensive coordinator and position coach was Matt Campbell who went on to enjoy a four-year run as head coach at Toledo (35-15) and is now at Iowa State.Dartt and his wife, Jan, are expecting their first child in February. He earned his degree in health and physical education in 2008 from Mount Union.Mount Union offensive coordinator Geoff Dartt, a Port Clintion graduate, oversees a December 2015 offensive practice in Alliance. On Jan. 8, Dartt was hired as the offensive line coach at Western Kentucky.Mount Union offensive coordinator Geoff Dartt, a Port Clintion graduate, oversees a Dec. 2015 offensive practice in Alliance.