Deon Broomfield

Biography

COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS Deon Broomfield joins the Nittany Lions as their defensive backs coach following a five-year stint coaching safeties at Iowa State. Broomfield, who has 10 seasons coaching defensive backs at the collegiate level, spent a season as a defensive assistant with the Houston Texans in 2020. During the 2025, Broomfield tutored third-team All-Big 12 safety Markus Neal, who emerged as one of the best defensive backs in the Big 12 Conference, tying for the team lead with 77 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, which lead all Big 12 defensive backs. Iowa State's 42 interceptions the last three seasons (2023-25) are tied for 11th-most nationally in that span. The Cyclone safeties were one of the nation's best collective units in 2024 with all three starters earning recognition from the Big 12 coaches, led by Malik Verdon being named an All-Big 12 second-team performer. Jeremiah Cooper and Beau Freyler were honorable mention selections. The group played a significant role in what amounted to the greatest single season in program history. Iowa State posted an 11-3 overall record, the first double-digit win season for the school, and reached the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship game for the second time. The defensive unit overcame multiple injuries and allowed just 22.9 points per game, holding opponents to fewer than 20 points in six games, which tied for the second-most games among Big 12 teams. The Cyclones were first nationally in passing defense, allowing just