The impact of Malik Roberson on Portland State’s defense in 2015 was distinct. Roberson took over as Defensive Coordinator for the newly-hired Bruce Barnum and turned PSU’s defensive unit into one of the best in the Big Sky Conference.
With virtually the same roster as 2014, Roberson led the Vikings to remarkable improvement. PSU’s defense cut points allowed by 11.7 per game, doubled the number of turnovers forced from 14 to 28 and cut passing yards allowed by 90 per game.
PSU ranked second in scoring defense in the Big Sky (22.3) and first in third-down conversion defense (30.3%).
That productivity helped lead Portland State to its finest season at the Division I level (9-3). The Viking defense had six players earn first, second or third team All-Big Sky Conference, and safety Patrick Onwuasor, a consensus All-American, finished second in the National Defensive Player of the Year balloting, moving on to the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL.
2016 proved to be a different challenge as Roberson graduated both of his defensive tackles, his middle linebacker, Onwuasor at safety and Aaron Sibley at cornerback. Before the season started, linebacker AJ Schlatter passed away, and right after the season started safety Walter Santiago had a season-ending injury. That was seven starters down from a talented 2015 group.
The Vikings had to go young, with six true freshmen playing on defense, but also showed great promise for the future.
Roberson coached previously at PSU in 2011 and was part of a team that went 7-4. He returned as the Vikings defensive line coach in 2014, then was elevated to Defensive Coordinator for the 2015 season. He also coaches cornerbacks.
In between (2012-13), Roberson was the Defensive Coordinator at Central Washington. He had two successful seasons at CWU as the team had back-to-back 7-4 campaigns. Roberson’s defense allowed just 298 yards and 15.7 points per game in 2013 while forcing 32 turnovers. Central Washington led the GNAC in fewest points allowed, fewest yards allowed, fewest rushing yards (87.7), fewest passing yards (210.3), defensive pass efficiency (105.4 rating), sacks (34), fewest first downs (14.6), and third-down conversion rate (31.6%). The Wildcats held eight teams under 100 rushing yards and allowed only six rushing touchdowns all season.
BACKGROUND
Roberson has extensive experience working in the Big Sky Conference and also spent three seasons as the defensive line coach at Washington State (2008-10). Roberson was the defensive line coach at Eastern Washington from 2002-07, moving over to WSU with Head Coach Paul Wulff at that time.
Roberson originally attended Washington State, playing two seasons as a linebacker and defensive lineman. He finished his career at Central Washington, earning first team All-Conference honors and was a co-captain of the 1995 NAIA Championship team.
A native of Spokane, Roberson spent three different seasons coaching at Lewis and Clark High School (1992-93, 1999). He joined the Eastern Washington staff as a student assistant in 2000, completing his degree at CWU in 2001.
During his six seasons as defensive line coach at Eastern Washington, Roberson had nine players earn All-Big Sky Conference honors. In his final year at EWU - 2007 - all four linemen earned All-Conference honors with Greg Peach being named second team All-American. The Eagles shared two Big Sky titles and made three NCAA FCS I playoff appearances during Roberson’s coaching tenure in Cheney.
Roberson and his wife, Ondria, have a son, Nick, and twin daughters, Madison and Makayla.
THE MALIK ROBERSON FILE
5th year at Portland State
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Alma Mater: Central Washington, 2001
Playing Experience: Washington State, 1990-91; Central Washington, 1994-95
Date of Birth: April 30, 1971
Family: Wife, Ondria; Son, Nick (25); twin daughters Madison and Makayla (8)
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2015-17 Portland State, Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks
2014 Portland State, Defensive Line
2012-13 Central Washington, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2011 Portland State, Defensive Line
2008-10 Washington State, Defensive Line
2002-07 Eastern Washington, Defensive Line
2000-01 Eastern Washington, Student Assistant
1999 Lewis and Clark (WA) High School, Linebackers
ALL-BIG SKY CONFERENCE VIKINGS UNDER MALIK ROBERSON
2011 - DEFENSIVE LINE COACH
2nd team: DT Myles Wade
HM: DE Jack Forbes
2014 - DEFENSIVE LINE COACH
HM: DE Brandon Tobias, DT Joe Lopez, DT Junior Alexis
2015 - DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
1st team: Patrick Onwuasor, S.
2nd team: Sadat Sulleyman, DT; Davond Dade, DE; Xavier Coleman, CB
3rd team: Daniel Fusi, DT; Aaron Sibley, CB
HM: Michael Doman, DE; Jeremy Lutali, LB; Walter Santiago, S
2016 - DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
1st team: CB Xavier Coleman
HM: DT Savali Talalemotu
