Bio

Cody Dieffenbaugher joined the Clarke University football staff in the summer of 2026, serving as the linebackers coach on head coach Heath Zuck's staff.

Dieffenbaugher joins the Pride staff directly from a return stint at NJCAA Hocking College where he was the Associate Head Coach, serving roles as defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, and recruiting coordinator for the Hawks from February 2024 to December 2025.

In his role at Hocking, the 2024 defense finished fifth in sacks and the special teams units finished fourth in punts and fourth in punt yardage all while assisting by breaking down opponent film, running all install meetings, organizing and coordinating recruiting plans, and conducting player evaluations.

In 2023, Dieffenbaugher spent the season on the staff at FCS Morehead State University coaching outside linebackers and defensive ends where he would run positional meetings to breakdown film, assist in producing scout cards, recruit to a specific area and position while assisting with the punt unit as well.

While at Dakota State University in 2022 to early season 2023, Dieffenbaugher served as the defensive line coach, special teams coordinator, and travel coordinator for the Trojan football program.  He helped the Trojans to a tie for second place in the North Star Athletic Association in 2022 with a 4-2 record, as defensive end Cody Brown was named to the NAIA Football All-America Honorable Mention Team.

Prior coming to Dakota State, Dieffenbaugher was the special teams' coordinator, defensive backs coach, pass game coordinator, and defensive recruiting coordinator for Bethany (Kan.) in 2021 fall.  He coached two All-Conference players and a player that play professionally overseas in Finland and Hungary.

As the running back coach and recruiting coordinator in his first stint at Hocking in 2020-21, he helped their rushing offense rank 14th in the NJCAA. Prior to that, Dieffenbaugher was the assistant defensive coordinator, pass game coordinator, assistant special teams coordinator, defensive backs coach, and recruiting coordinator for Vermillion Community College in Ely, Minn. in 2020.

He also coached the Canton Pitbulls Semi-Pro Football Organization in Canton, Ohio, serving as the offensive line coach and assistant defensive line coach in 2017 where he led the sixth-grade football team to the D1 Savage Regional All-Star Game in 2019.

Dieffenbaugher spent three years in the football world prior to his first school coaching position where he coordinated camps, combines, tournaments, and everything in between youth through high school players and teams across the country.