georgia southern football coaching staff
Here are bios of 41 players from Georgia colleges or high schools (41 players), who were invited to the combine: Stetson Bennett, 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Georgia (Pierce County High School): The 25 . Uchenna Nwosu (LB; 2nd round draft pick - Los Angeles Chargers; 2018) Davis comes to Statesboro after a season as the wide receivers coach for Hawaii, where he coached all-conference selection Calvin Turner Jr. of Savannah, a New Hampstead High School graduate. Hail Southern!". Harris was a defensive back on five University of Southern California bowl teams for coach Pete Carroll. Georgia Southern's Savrasov gains an education while pursuing his dream, Give Clay Helton an opening, and he will seal the deal for Georgia Southern football, Georgia Southern bolsters receivers, QBs with coach Clay Helton's first recruiting class, Amare Jones, a senior transfer from Tulane, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "You want to be at a place that cares and you have a chance to be successful. At Arkansas State, where he led the Red Wolves to conference titles in 2011 and 2012 while playing quarterback, Aplin coached the running backs in 2021. Georgia Southern's new football coach Clay Helton is piecing together his coaching staff, and on Tuesday announced the addition of twoassistants very familiar with the Sun Belt Conference. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Three-time Pac-12 South Division (2015, 2017, 2020) "I am extremely excited to get to Statesboro and be a part of its winning traditions," Davis said. "The energy, passion for the game and knowledge he brings to the position will no doubt take our receiving unit to elite standards.". Eagle Nation, please help us welcome Coach Woods to Statesboro.". Harris started his USC career in 2005 and played cornerback. He is in his second season as the Eagles head coach. The Georgia Southern on-field football coaching staff was replaced for 2022 with the exception of Kevin Whitley, who started the 2021 season as cornerbacks coach, was interim head coach for the final eight games, and was retained as assistant head coach/cornerbacks. In all, Woods mentored seven All-Big Ten players at Wisconsin, including four All-Americans, highlighted by Rob Havenstein, who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Dobson is an exciting choice as the new head coach of the 5-A Statesboro High School Blue Devils. They wanted me to try it. While Georgia Southern's new head coach Clay Helton is assembling his staff and added another position coach Monday, he might have to replace one of the new hires, according to a report. "When you sit in a head coach's chair, you always want somebody you can bounce ideas off of, (somebody) that's been in this seat and knows what it feels like.". Harris comes to Statesboro after four seasons coaching the University of Washingtons defensive backs, a group among the best in the country. The Georgia Southern football team has now officially put an end to their 2023 signing class with the latest two players coming in the final signing period Wednesday morning. A former Auburn defensive back is leaving the Plains. "He has also served as an assistant for Auburn, Florida State and Hawaii during his coaching career and has helped produce impressive receiving units wherever he has been. 2014 Georgia Southern (TE Coach) 9-3. Washington led the FBS in the fewest passing yards allowed (1,720), giving up a nation-low six touchdown passes while posting the third-best pass efficiency defense in the country. Prominent Pupils 56 nationally in pass defense in 2019 (222.2 yards per game) to No. The team has played more than 1,200 games over 118 seasons of Georgia football. Merritt, who will be 34 on Jan. 5, comes to Statesboro after serving as a senior offensive analyst for the University of Tennessee, which. "From our very first meeting, we sat down and were able to work it out that I would stay. Provide . "He is the heart and soul of this place," Ellis said. Stockbridge had no history of winning, let alone playoff success (zero postseason victories),before Whitley's arrival. Reed joins Clay Helton's staff after spending two seasons with the Illinois football program. In 2021, Washington was the only FBS school with two cornerbacks to earn an 85+ grade from Pro Football Focus in Kyler Gordon and Trent McDuffie, who earned first-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors. Furthermore, USU's offense set school records in passes completed (315) and attempted (504), while its 3,628 passing yards are the second-most. From that point on, we've worked together very well. Family: wife, Angela; sons, Reid and Turner; daughter, Aubrey He then worked at the University of Louisville, his alma mater, in 2018 as the tight ends coach and director of on-campus recruiting. Jones played running back, receiver, slotback and quarterback this season and also returns kicks. Two of the most veteran coaches on last year's staff Mel Tucker and Jim Chaney, are no longer. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart issued a statement on the report and . We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. I think our guys did come out and play hard.". The school announced on Tuesday afternoon that Georgia Southern staff member Milan Turner has been named the new head man for the Hawks. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The first-team offense includedAmare Jones, a senior transfer from Tulane, at flex. They had never met before Helton took the job, and he quickly learned how much Whitley loved Georgia Southern University. Buy Bulldogs . 2017: USC - Head Coach (11-3; Cotton Bowl) . So it was not totally foreign to me. Mailing: Use PO Box above unless noted below or for shipping Turner, who coached in six state championship games at five different Georgia high schools in his career, brings a wealth of knowledge and connections in Georgia high school football to the new position. The university announced Sunday that Chad Lunsford was relieved of his duties after a 1-3 start the season. Aplin was previously North Alabamas wide receivers coach in 2016, then took a position as the wide receivers coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga in 2017. 2023: Georgia Southern - Head Coach On Monday, Heltonsaid he is thrilled to add Davis to the staff. If there was awkwardness which I assume there are in some cases he's eliminated that.". "Having grown up right across the state line in Middleburg, Florida, he understands our Southeast recruiting footprint. Such a unifying figure helped allay potential discomfort in being the lone holdover and the man in charge who ultimately did not get job. Helton feels Whitley makes the team better, and makes him a better coach. Meanwhile, running backs coach Effrem Reed is reportedly considering going back to Michigan State, where he was an offensive analyst in 2020-21, according to Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports. In 2021, he played a lead role in the development of Walker III, who was also named the Big Tens Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year and a unanimous first-team all-conference selection. Email him at ndominitz@savannahnow.com. Instead, Whitley was retained with the title of assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach. Commentary:Give Clay Helton an opening, and he will seal the deal for Georgia Southern football. 2012 Auburn (Dir of Scouting) 3-9. Evaluate and communicate with prospective student-athletes. One of Ellis' first calls was to Whitley. 2007: Memphis - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks(New Orleans Bowl) Reed could replace Peagler for the Spartans. TicketSmarter - Official Secondary Ticketing Partner, The Breakdown: A Closer Look at the 2023 Football Schedule, Georgia Southern's 2023 Football Schedule Released, Black History Month Q&A With Marvin James, Edwin Jackson Memorial Walk-on Tryouts Set for March 7. Georgia Southern University has hired TJ Woods to its coaching staff as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator: TJ Woods, who has 20 years of collegiate coaching experience, has been named the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Georgia Southern offense, as announced Tuesday by head . Georgia Southern University. He knows what it takes to build a successful high school football program and to ensure that each student is prepared for their next steps after high school. It was "different," Whitley said, being the interim head coach four games into his third season as cornerbacks coach. In 28 years of coaching, Turner has coached in six state championship games for five different high schools around Georgia. McDuffie also earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press after finishing the season with 35 tackles and six pass break-ups. As a head coach, Turner went 112-43, and won a 2007 Class A state title with Emanuel County Institute in Twin City, Georgia. His entire playing and coaching career has been in the Southeast, and he has extremely strong relationships in our recruiting footprint. Email: gsathletics@georgiasouthern.edu He had changed high schools to be closer to home. ", More GS sports: 'Basketball nomad' Brian Burg finds a home as Georgia Southern's head men's coach. 1996: Duke- Running Backs Offensive coordinator/QB coach Doug Ruse is a quality control analyst for offense at South Alabama. 13 nationally and No. Effrem was instrumental in the development of Kenneth Walker III, helping the running back through a very successful 2021 Heisman campaign. Twitter: @NathanDominitz. TJ Woods, who has 20 years of collegiate coaching experience, has been named the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Georgia Southern offense, as announced Tuesday by head coach Clay Helton. First quarter GS: Jalen White 2 run (Alex Raynor kick) 8:02 NU: Casey Thompson 8 run (Timmy Bleekrode kick) 4:17 GS: White 26 run (Raynor kick) 2:21 Second quarter NU: Brody Belt 21 pass from Thompson (Bleekrode kick) 13:40 NU: Anthony Grant 4 run (Bleekrode kick) 8:25 GS: Gerald Green 1 run (Raynor kick) 7:27 GS: Green 47 run (Raynor kick) 4:00 Georgia Southern's new head football coach Clay Helton promised to complete his staff before the team meets in January. 1. The warrant says LeCroy's blood-alcohol concentration was .197 at the time of the crash. "We look forward to Will building one of the top defenses in college football right here in Statesboro.. Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Name Title Email Address Phone Twitter; Tremaine Jackson: Head Football Coach football@valdosta.edu (229) 333-5970 (229) 333-5970: Trent Earley: Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Line / Special Teams Coordinator football@valdosta.edu (229) 333-5970 (229) 333-5970 @CoachTEarley: Brandon Andersen From an assistant at Redan (1996-97) and North Springs (1998-2000), he proceeded to head coaching stints at North Springs (2001-02), Creekside (2003-08) and Stockbridge (2009-18). Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Title Name Phone Email; Head Coach "I am extremely thankful for Coach Clay Helton giving me the opportunity to come back to Georgia Southern University and be a part of such an elite staff and such an incredible football program with unparalleled tradition and success," Turner said. Email him at ndominitz@savannahnow.com. Clay Helton, who led USC to a Rose Bowl title in 2016, was named the 11th full-time head coach in the Georgia Southern modern football era on Nov. 2, 2021. Sims has also been an assistant at North Carolina (2019), Army (2017-19), Indiana (2014-15 . Literacy Luau is Thursday night at Bulloch Solutions, Former teacher's legacy lives on in local math tournament, Georgia Southern to host Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference, Averitt Center of the Artsto hostChi-Town Transit Authority, Youth Advocates attend Forum in DC and Substance Abuse Prevention Day, AssuredPartners Glenn/Davis & Associates. The linemenup front, led by first-team all-conference selection Colby Ragland, helped pave the way for DeWayne McBride to rush for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns and protected for 2,200-yard passer Dylan Hopkins. ", Nathan Dominitz is the Sports Content Editor of the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. Georgia Southern University Athletics Staff Directory Phone: 912-GSU-ATHL (478-2845) Email: gsathletics@georgiasouthern.edu Fax: 912-478-0095 Mailing: Use PO Box above unless noted below or for shipping Current EADA Report Ad Blocker Detected Thanks for visiting gseagles.com! Whitley was a highly success head coach at the high school level in the state before returning to Statesboro in 2019 for his first college coaching job. Two-time Paul Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award Finalist "We're very similar people," Helton said. Football The new OC: Georgia Southern hires Western Kentucky assistant Bryan Ellis as offensive coordinator. He played in 44 games throughout his career and compiled nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards to go along with eight TDs. "I'm trying to be the second best coach in Georgia Southern history," says Helton. Cameron Smith (LB; 5th round draft pick - Minnesota Vikings; 2019) Bob DeBesse, Georgia Southern offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach: $273,000 Scot Sloan, Georgia Southern defensive coordinator and safeties coach: $273,000 Brad Glenn,. Thompson is a first-team pick at special teams. Phone:912-GSU-ATHL (478-2845) In his role as assistant head coach, Whitley is positioned to be Helton's extra set of eyes on the field, which helps with such a large roster of 130-plus players. More: Kevin Whitley to stay at Georgia Southern under Clay Helton after serving as interim head coach, "My family and I are excited about the opportunity that coach Helton has given us," said Whitley, who with hiswife, Star, hasa daughter, Camryn, and a son, Avery. After a two-year run as the school's tight ends coach, where he coached Ricky Burgan to NAIA All-American honors, he spent a season coaching the offensive line at Citrus before going to New Mexico for two seasons to serve as a graduate assistant on the offensive line. Inside linebackers coach Travis Cunningham is inside linebackers coach at Western Kentucky. 2015: USC - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Head Coach # (Holiday Bowl) * - 1-0 as USCs interim head coach for the Las Vegas Bowl Being an extremely successful Georgia high school coach, he has built very strong relationships across the state. Harris was named one of the 50 Rising-Star Position Coaches You Need To Know byOn3.com. He was 28-21 overall leading the program, including a 1-3 start to this past fall. 2006: Memphis - Receivers Born: June 24, 1972 in Gainesville, Fla. Aplins lone season with the Hilltoppers saw him help lead the program to an appearance in the LendingTree Bowl while serving as co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach with new Eagle offensive coordinator Bryan Ellis. PFN also announced its All-Sun Belt Conference teams and recognized five Eagles. He assisted the Tigers to two bowl games, the Music City Bowl and Outback Bowl, while back on The Plains. STATESBORO - Clay Helton, who led USC to a Rose Bowl title following the 2016 season and won a Pac-12 championship in 2017, has been named the 11th full-time head coach in the Georgia Southern modern football era, as announced Tuesday by Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Jared Benko. "Having the chance to watch the final three weeks of the season, I sawKevin Whitleydisplay each of these characteristics while leading our football team. Kirby Smart is the current head coach of the bulldogs. "It was (the family) making (the decision). 1998: Houston - Running Backs In 2021, his line led the way for an offense that averaged 386 yards per game (180 rushing, 206 passing) with 43 offensive touchdowns (27 rushing, 20 passing). 1997: Houston- Running Backs Rasheem Green (DL; 3rd round draft pick - Seattle Seahawks; 2018) Current EADA Report. 2009: Memphis - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Former Georgia Southern football standout, Matt Dobson, is returning to the 'Boro to don the blue and white, but as a Blue Devil, not an Eagle. Nathan Dominitz is the Sports Content Editor of the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Hanahan has their new head football coach. After secondary coach Charlton Warren left Georgia to be defensive coordinator at Indiana, let's take a quick look at the Georgia coaching staff. Salary: $300,000. Reed spent two seasons (2018-19) at his alma mater, Louisiana. He was selected as team captain for the 2016 squad. Stepping into that role last year was definitely unexpected, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I could have stayed at the high school. "Richard is known in our profession for producing physical, tough and disciplined offensive line units," Helton said in the statement. When Helton inquired about Ellis joining the staff in Statesboro, the Peach State native thought of the coach he met recruiting the Atlanta region. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. ", They dont come much better than @kwhit4 #HailSouthern | @GSCoachHelton pic.twitter.com/jHJmwNzQm3. He was a defensive graduate assistant for the Ragin Cajuns in 2019 and the director of player engagement in 2018. [2] In 2004, Owens started two of the eight games he played in, caught eight passes for 69 yards, and made three special teams tackles. STATESBORO Georgia Southern's new head football coach Clay Helton wasn't looking to clean house when he picked his coaching staff. Offensive lineman Eric Cook was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft, while Byron Bell was named a freshman All-American in 2008. Thompson played a team-high 154 snaps on special teams and posted 25 tackles, one interception and a pass breakup on the season. Owens then joined the Blazers in 2012 as the tight ends coach, and in 2013 was named the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. 2004: Memphis - Receivers (GMAC Bowl) In all, Turner's list of accomplishments is long. Pac-12 Championship (2017) 2018: USC - Head Coach (5-7) "First of all, there's no awkwardness because coach Helton has not allowed it to be that," said Whitley, 52. Helton's hire in early November allowed him time to evaluate players as well as the coaching staff through what he called "a very adverse situation" in the last month of the 3-9 campaign. Whitley was hired in 2019 as the head coach at New Manchester High in Douglas County. Former USC coach Clay Helton will be the head coach at Georgia Southern after signing a five-year deal, sources told Yahoo Sports. In 2019, Harris was an assistant defensive backs coach for UW and helped coach one of the strongest secondaries in the nation. He finished his career with 83 receptions and was eighth all-time at Auburn in punt return average (9.76) when he left. "Push ego aside; it's about winning, it's about our players. I want to also thank Principal Tom Gallus, Athletic Director Kim Joseph, the search committee, and the Berkeley County Board of Education for this incredible opportunity to be a teacher and head football coach at Hanahan High School. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. He is in his second season as the Eagles head coach. 2008: Memphis Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks (St. Petersburg Bowl) The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. I look forward to serving alongside Coach Turner and seeing our Hawks shine under the Friday night lights.. He also is respected and well-connected in his home state from decades of winning as a high school coach. The official FOOTBALL Coach List for the Southern University Skip To Main . 2023 www.savannahnow.com. In fact, he had taken a slightly different route to becoming an assistant coach at his alma mater. Defensive coordinator Scot Sloan is co-defensive coordinator/safeties at Army. The Aggies rewrote the offensive record books by setting then-school records for total offense in consecutive seasons, concluding with 6,108 yards in 2012. By Matt Galatzan Feb 23, 2023 . "Kelly and I are humbled to be part of such a prestigious football program in Georgia Southern," Woods said. Twitter: @NathanDominitz. Reed, a Louisiana native, comes to Statesboro after two seasons at Michigan State, where he was an offensive analyst, helped coach star running back Kenneth Walker III and contributed to the Spartans' 10-win season anda top-10 final College Football Playoff ranking. Most importantly, I am beyond excited to begin working with these talented young men. 7 nationally. Despite a subpar 2022, the Aggies are among the top rosters in college football for next season. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 WCSC. A second-team All-Mountain West selection, Turner ranked fourth in the league in all-purpose yards (1,523) and touchdowns (12) and was sixth in receptions (73) and receiving yards (876). His teams went 99-28 overall with five region titles in 10 seasons. Alma Mater: Georgia. The Blazers capped a nine-win season by putting up over 400 yards of offense in an Independence Bowl win over No. He was also the 2012 Region 3-AAA Coach of the Year and a 2008 Under Armour Coach who got to coach in a national all-star game. Adore Jackson (CB; 1st round draft pick [18th overall] - Tennessee Titans; 2017) Earlier on Tuesday a Berkeley County School District Spokesperson said Craig has now retired from BCSD. Helton was hired in Nov. 2 and took full charge of the program after the season ended. "Being a Georgia native, a former Georgia Southern player, and having tremendous success as a coach both at the high school and college level in the state of Georgia, no one has better recruiting ties to our state. Harris was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection as a strong safety in 2009. The opportunity to learn from and work alongside coach Helton and this excellent staff is a privilege and an honor, Harris said in a press release. The Georgia Southern Eagles football program represents Georgia Southern University in football as part of the Sun Belt Conference. Owens began his coaching career in 2010 at the University of Arkansas and was with the Razorbacks as a graduate assistant working with tight ends for two seasons. With this in mind, we are proud to name coach Whitley our assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach for the upcoming season. Can they win championships? 2005: Memphis - Receivers (Motor City Bowl Champs) 2021 Preview 2021 Record: Overall: 3-9, Conference: 2-6 Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen Georgia Southern Top 10 Players | Schedule Georgia Southern Eagles Preview 2022 Clay Helton was hardly awful at USC. "I'm looking forward to being a part of it. 2012: USC - Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks(Sun Bowl) I appreciate that. They are the proud parents of Dylan Turner and daughter-in-law Rachel Turner, daughter Regan Hamilton and son-in-law Carson Hamilton. From 2021 to 2022, when Woods was the co-coordinator at UNLV, the Rebels averaged nearly six more points per game. Published: Jan. 24, 2023 at 12:59 PM PST. STATESBORO - Long-time Georgia high school football coach Milan Turner has been announced as the Director of High School Relations for the Georgia Southern football program, as announced Wednesday by head coach Clay Helton. "With his experience in the SEC and havingled as a coordinator, he brings a wealth of knowledge to our football program. "I go from 8 miles from the house to three hours from the house. Helton, 50, was a career assistant coach who twice was an interim head coach at Southern Cal before getting the tag removed and becoming "permanent" head coach. Head coach Chad Lunsford, fired after a 1-3 start, is tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at Florida Atlantic. As an offensive analyst in 2018, he helped guide the running backs and kick returners. More:Georgia Southern bolsters receivers, QBs with coach Clay Helton's first recruiting class. 2010: USC - Quarterbacks Jackson State University head football coach Deion Sanders has announced additions to his coaching staff. 2018 Georgia Southern Season 10-3. The second-team defense includes senior nose tackleC.J. Todd Robert Monken (born February 5, 1966) is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL).