Our Executive Committee

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Alonzo Carter

Alonzo Carter joined the Arizona Football program as Assistant Head Coach and Running Backs Coach in January of 2024. Carter begins his tenure with the Wildcats following seven seasons with San Jose State.

Carter joined the Spartans football coaching staff in January 2017, as the running backs coach and added the duties of assistant head coach in 2021. Under Carter’s leadership, running back Kairee Robinson finished second in the Mountain West with a career-high 1,194 rushing yards and led the conference with a career-high 18 rushing touchdowns.

In 2022, Carter helped Robinson rush for a then career-high in yards (752) and touchdowns (10) helping the tailback gain a single-game career best 148 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown against Hawai’i (11/26/22).

The 2020 season was a banner year for the running back group led by Coach Carter helping the Spartans to a Mountain West Championship and No. 24 in the final AP Poll. Tailbacks averaged 4.5 yards per rush, its best average for SJSU in five years, and became one of the first two teams in NCAA Football Bow Subdivision (FBS) history to complete a season without losing a fumble by a ball handler on offense, defense, and special teams.

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and up to the start of the delayed season, Carter became a national figure through his West Coast Zoom clinics - weekly sessions involving hundreds of football coaches. The concept originated from the desire to assist minority coaches with upward mobility in the coaching profession, the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports and society. Rooted in listening, learning and networking, the then Spartan assistant coach relied on his professional connections and hosted engaging ZOOM calls lasting up to seven hours, either once or twice a week.

For his use of the Zoom technology platform, he received a 2020 Zoomtopia award for innovation - emphasis on diversity: bridging the divide.

In August 2020, he was named to the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches (NCMFC) executive committee. The organization’s goal is to identify and groom coaches of color and create a list of coaching candidates for upward mobility. The NCMFC recognized his organizational commitment through his recruitment of more than 100 new members, providing mentoring, and mock interview sessions with its MVP Advocate Award for 2020. Since August 2020, he assisted 26 NCMFC members that advanced to coaching positions of greater responsibility or visibility.

The Wildcat assistant has 18 years of head coaching experience. His teams compiled a 129-69-3 win-loss record, won 11 league championships, three California Interscholastic Federation (C.I.F.) Oakland Section titles, and six post-season bowl games. He was named league or conference coach of the year in seven of those seasons.

At Cal State Hayward, he and a group of friends answered an audition call, became backup dancers and rap artists, and toured extensively with iconic hip-hop musician MC Hammer. Carter was awarded a multi-platinum record signifying at least 10 million albums sold for “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em.”

Carter was inducted into the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. He holds coaching certifications from the American Football Coaches Association, the California Interscholastic Federation and the California Community College Athletic Association. Carter was selected to participate in the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship program in 2017 with the San Francisco 49ers.

Carter’s coaching career began as McClymonds High’s track and field coach in February 1993. In his three years as the track and field head coach, McClymonds produced eight league and section champions. He also had responsibilities as a varsity assistant football coach.

COACH CARTER FILE

247sports. com Mountain West Recruiter of the Year (2019)
CCCAA Coach of the Year (2012, 14, 15)
Alameda Contra Costa Area League Coach of the Year (2009)
Named the East Bay Coach of the Year (2001, 05, 06)
Head coach at Contra Costa College (2010-16)
Contra Costa College posted a 47-27 win-loss mark, captured four conference championships and won two bowl games under Carter.
Head coach at Berkely High in Berkely, Calif. (2007-09)
Head coach at McClymonds High in Oakland, Calif (1999-06)
Won four league championships and three Oakland Section titles in eight seasons.

PERSONAL

The 2016 California State University East Bay graduate majored in African American Studies.
When the school was known as Cal State Hayward, he was a member of the Pioneers’ football and track and field teams.
He and his wife, Roezell, are the parents of six children – Alonzo II, Isaiah, Alona, Malikhi, Anthony and Kennedie.

Chair

Angel Lopez

Angellica Grayson

Angellica Grayson is a trailblazer in football, making history as the first head flag football coach for the University of Saint Mary and the first African American female head flag football coach at the NAIA level during its inaugural season in Spring 2021. With a remarkable 15-season career as a linebacker for the WNFC’s Texas Elite Spartans, she has won six back-to-back championships and numerous accolades. These include her induction into the Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017, a Defensive Player of the year award, and a World Gold Medal for Team USA in 2017.
Transitioning from player to coach, Grayson now serves as a positional linebacker coach for the Texas Elite Spartans. She is committed to nurturing the next generation of athletes and is an NFL female flag football ambassador. Her coaching journey includes international experience, having traveled to Egypt to promote and teach the sport.
In Summer 2021, Grayson was one of nine selected for the prestigious Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Washington Football Team, now the Commanders. Under her leadership, her NAIA flag football team earned recognition for their character and community service two years in a row. Residing in Texas, Grayson continues to contribute to football development. In July 2024 she won a gold medal as the United States National Flag Football Assistant Coach in the Junior International Cup with the 17u Girls Flag Football team.
Her influence extends through her participation in several key committees, including the Girls Flag Advisory Council (GFAC), the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches (NCMFC), and the Flag Football Competition Committee (FFCC). As a dedicated NFL Flag Football Ambassador, and a Master Trainer she tirelessly works to grow and promote the sport she loves.
Angellica Grayson has an impressive career in both playing and coaching football. Her achievements and dedication to the sport are inspiring, particularly her contributions to developing girls, women and coaches. Her role in various football committees and initiatives is what she enjoys.

Aric Williams

Aric Williams has been hired as the head football coach at Willamette University and will begin his duties immediately. Williams, who played cornerback at Oregon State University and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, has been an assistant coach at several NCAA Division I universities, and was most recently the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the past two seasons at Montana Tech.

“We are excited to have Aric joining our Bearcat family and leading our football program”, said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Rob Passage. “He has experience as a player and coach at programs throughout the West and has a history of helping programs improve. His energy and vision for the program really resonated with everyone during the entire interview process”.

Williams began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for quality control at Arizona State University in 2009. He was an assistant coach at the University of Montana from 2010-14, where he coached cornerbacks, kickoff returners, punt returners, and the punt team during his time with the Grizzlies, in addition to serving as the team's academic coordinator. From 2015-17,Williams worked as an assistant coach at the University of Idaho, focusing on defensive backs, kickoff returners, and punt returners. He was the cornerbacks coach at San Jose State University from 2018-21, before becoming the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Montana Tech in 2022.

"I saw the opportunity to be part of a prestigious and high academic university, and being able to lead young men that understand the importance of doing well in the classroom, but also have a passion to play a sport that demands a lot of you," Williams said about his interest in coaching at Willamette. "Another thing that interested me was the location! I am a huge fan of the beautiful state of Oregon and the location of Salem. What a great place, with its proximity to Portland as well as the coast. It's definitely a place where I can recruit quality student athletes to come and compete."

He is starting his first head coaching job as he joins the Bearcats this offseason.

"I am thrilled for this opportunity," Williams commented. "I'm especially thrilled that I get this opportunity at such an amazing university. I have been preparing for this for 15 years. I am chomping at the bit to get started!

His extensive and varied coaching experiences have allowed Williams to develop a wide range of coaching skills. At Montana Tech, he was able to focus on the overall defense as the defensive coordinator while focusing on the linebackers as their position coach.

"The strengths I plan to utilize at Willamette are structure, accountability, discipline, and a winning-competitive nature," Williams stated. "This is who I am at my core, and I will coach and teach this team how to strengthen these qualities within themselves."

As he begins his first head coaching job, Williams has developed a plan for the type of players he wants to recruit to Willamette.

After achieving success as a college football player and competing as a professional athlete, Williams has many of his own playing experiences to call upon as a coach. He's played for great coaches and he has been an assistant coach under highly-regarded coaches.

"As a player early in my college career, I caught the coaching bug." Williams recalled. "One of the older players taught me how to see and understand the game on a different level, as well as the legendary coaches I was able to play under, Dennis Erickson and Mike Riley. They were both great coaches but very diverse in their leadership approaches. This taught me at a young age that there are multiple ways to achieve success."

His years at NFL camps, competing in NFL Europe, and playing in the Arena Football League added to his knowledge of the game, how to play, and how to coach.

"I am fortunate to have worked under some amazing and successful head coaches," Williams added. "I have taken many things away from each experience -- things I want to implement into my head coaching style and things I don't. I have seen what is effective in winning and turning programs around, and I plan on implementing those elements into this program. I've had the opportunity to be part of taking teams with losing records and turning them into conference champions. I plan to do that again at Willamette."

Being hired as the head football coach is an important moment for Williams, and it's also a key time for his family.

"I can not express enough how excited my family and I are to be part of the Willamette University family as well as the Salem community," Williams said. "I am excited for what the future has in store for us."

Williams competed at Oregon State from 2000 through 2004. He was named Second Team All-Pac-10 as a cornerback in 2004, and was chosen Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 in 2003. He also was a kick returner for the Beavers. At the end of the 2004 season, he intercepted a pass in the Insight Bowl to help Oregon State defeat Notre Dame 38-21. He also played in the East-West Shrine Game. Williams graduated from Oregon State in 2005 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts and an emphasis in Graphic Design.

He was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, and participated in the Eagles' camp in 2005 and at the Washington Redskins' camp in 2006. He played for the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europe in 2006. He played in the Arena Football League with the Philadelphia Soul in 2007 and with the Arizona Rattlers in 2008.

Avante Mitchell

Education:

Northwood University (MI) - Bachelor of Business Administration/Management (2019)

Professional Experience:

Olivet Nazarene University (IL) - Head Football Coach (2024 - Present)
Lawrence Technological University (MI) - Head Football Coach (2020 - 2023)
Lawrence Technological University (MI) - Interim Head Football Coach, Defensive Coordinator (2019)
Northwood University (MI) - Defensive Backs Coach (2016 - 2018)
Taylor University (IN) - Defensive Coordinator (2013 - 2015)
Concordia University Ann Arbor (MI) - Interim Head Coach, Defensive Line, Defensive Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator (2011 - 2012)

Awards and Recognitions:

As a Coach:

Lawrence Technological University (2019 - 2023)

- Ranked 1st in conference for punt return average

- Ranked 2nd in conference for punt return yards per game
- Ranked 5th in conference for kickoff return average

Northwood University (2016 - 2018)

- 6 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors players

Taylor University (2013 - 2015)

- Ranked among national leaders in NAIA in sacks, rush defense, and defensive turnovers

- - Led team to Top 25 rankings in NAIA in all major defensive categories
  - Scoring 21.9 points per game
  - Total defense: 332.5 yards per game
  - Rush defense: 119.8 yards per game
  - Sacks: 36 total (3.6 per game)
  - Defensive turnovers: 25 total, 19 INTs, and 6 FR

Coaching Philosophy:

To honor Christ with the mantle of leadership he’s placed upon me through the vehicle of football. It’s my duty to raise up servant leaders while building great men, ambassadors for ONU, and champions on and off the field. It is my duty to use the parallels of football and life to assist the men in our program to become greater men than I am.

Personal Information:

Avante and his wife, Ebony, have twins: son, Ahlon (majoring in law and legal studies at the United States Military Academy West Point while playing football) and daughter, Ahvon ('24 B.A. Communication from Liberty University and currently MBA student at Liberty University while running for the track and field team as a hurdler).

Brian Stewart

Southwest Region

Brian Stewart serves as Baylor’s cornerbacks coach. He joined the BU staff in January 2020.

Stewart most recently coached the defensive backs with the Detroit Lions from 2018-19. Stewart joined the Lions coaching staff in 2018 with an extensive background on the defensive side of the football, primarily in the secondary. Before returning to the NFL, Stewart spent eight consecutive years in the collegiate ranks (2010-17). Prior to Detroit, he most recently served as the defensive coordinator and interim head coach at Rice University in 2017.

Prior to Rice, Stewart coached at the University of Nebraska for two seasons (2015-16), working with the team’s defensive backs. He joined the Cornhuskers staff after spending three seasons at the University of Maryland (2012-14) where he served as the team’s defensive coordinator. In his three seasons at Maryland, Stewart’s defense tallied more than 30 sacks in two separate seasons, along with helping lead the Terrapins to a pair of bowl appearances. In Stewart’s first year at Maryland in 2012, his defense finished in the top three in the ACC in total defense (21st nationally), rushing defense and pass defense.

After working as a defensive assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009, Stewart returned to the college ranks for the first time in eight years, after being named defensive coordinator at the University of Houston. During his tenure (2010-11), the Cougars finished with a 13-1 record and No. 14 ranking in 2011. Additionally, Houston ranked in the top 15 nationally in red zone scoring, interceptions, tackles for loss, takeaways and opponent completion percentage in 2011.

Prior to Houston, Stewart spent eight years in the NFL, including a two-year stint (2007-08) as the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator. During his time in Dallas, Stewart’s defense finished in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed in each of his two seasons, respectively, marked by a 13-3 record and NFC East divisional title in 2007.

Stewart also served as the defensive backs coach with the San Diego Chargers (2004-06). He earned his start as an NFL coach when he served on the Houston Texans coaching staff in the team’s first two seasons as an expansion club (2002-03). He began his coaching career at Cal Poly where he coached wide receivers and running backs from 1992-93. His background as a collegiate coach also includes stints at Missouri (1999-2000), San Jose State (1997-98), Syracuse (2001) and Northern Arizona (1994-95).

A California native, Stewart played defensive back collegiately at Santa Monica City College and Northern Arizona.

Stewart graduated from Northern Arizona in 1995 with a degree in criminal justice. He and his wife, Kimberly, have three daughters, Leila, Mya and Zara.

Christian Carter

Born and Raised in the Washington, D.C Metropolitan area, Christian developed a passion for sports, business and service very early in his life. While participating as a 3-sport athlete in high school, he started his first business as a teenager and volunteered with local non-profits. He earned an Academic and Athletic Scholarship to Seton Hill University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, minoring in Finance and Business Administration all while captaining the Universities Football Team among many other leadership positions.

Upon earning his degree, Christian received a scholarship to pursue his master’s in business administration from the College of William & Mary’s Mason School of Business where he earned his master’s in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. During his time in business school, he worked for and alongside some of the most reputable contract advisors and athlete representation firms in the Sports & Entertainment industry. His contributions to business development efforts, brand partnerships, endorsement deals, contract strategy, and client services generated six-figure revenue, founded multiple philanthropic initiatives, and developed dozens of new business relationships.

Today, Christian is an NFL Agent serving as a Trusted Advisor and Consultant to his diverse client list of professional athletes, professional and collegiate coaches, influencers, brands and media platforms. Using his expertise to negotiate deals, prospect new opportunities and strategize for growth.

Corey Parker

Corey Parker is in his first season as Illinois' defensive backs coach in 2024.

Parker joined the Fighting Illini from Toledo, where he was the Rockets' cornerbacks coach for the last two seasons. He was a 13-year high school head coach in the state of Michigan before moving to Toledo, turning River Rouge High School into a state power. Parker had a 113-34 head coaching record at River Rouge, highlighted by winning a state title in 2019.

In two seasons at Toledo, Parker helped the Rockets go 20-8 with two MAC Championship Game appearances. Toledo made bowl trips in both of Parker's seasons, winning the 2022 RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl and appearing in the 2023 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl.

Parker coached Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell into a two-time All-American and first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as the No. 22 overall selection and first corner off the board by the Philadelphia Eagles. Mitchell led the nation in passes defended (44) over the two-year span when he played under Parker and added six interceptions. Mitchell set Toledo's all-time record for passes defended and became the second Rocket in history and first since 1970-71 to earn All-America honors in back-to-back seasons.

Parker's corners helped Toledo rank in the top 10 in passing efficiency defense in both of his seasons with the Rockets. Toledo ranked 10th in the nation in passing efficiency in 2022 (112.2), then improved to eighth in 2023 (110.2), as the team allowed only 20.3 points per game, the 21st-best mark in the nation.

Toledo also ranked in the top 10 in the nation in PFF's coverage grade during 2022 and 2023, ranking sixth in 2022 then 10th in 2023. The team's discipline was a big part of the defensive success, as Toledo cornerbacks were penalized just seven times in 429 passing attempts in 2022, then matched the number with only seven penalties again in 2023 on 410 passing attempts.

Parker's cornerback room also featured Chris McDonald Jr., who progressed into an All-MAC selection under Parker's leadership. McDonald had three interceptions and 18 pass breakups from 2022-23, earning a 2023 All-MAC third-team selection and finishing fifth in Toledo history in career pass breakups (32).

At River Rouge (Mich.) High School, Parker also served as the school's dean of students from 2009-21 and athletic director from 2016-21 in addition to his 13 seasons as head football coach. Parker was a three-time regional coach of the year and earned state coach of the year honors in 2015 and 2019, the year he led River Rouge to the Division 3 state title. During his tenure, more than 100 of his players went on to play college football.

Parker inherited a River Rouge High School program that won just eight games in the four years prior to his arrival in 2009 and turned it into a state power. The Panthers qualified for the state playoffs in 12 consecutive seasons under his guidance, earning seven district titles, five regional crowns, five state semifinal appearances, and three appearances in the state championship game.

Parker was a three-time letterwinner as a defensive back at Eastern Michigan, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications in 2005. He is a graduate of St. Martin De Porres High School in Detroit.

Parker began his coaching career as a defensive backs coach at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School in 2006. He went on to coach defensive backs and wide receivers at Ann Arbor Huron High School in 2007 before accepting the position of co-defensive coordinator at Inkster High School in 2008. In 2009, he became the head coach at River Rouge.

Parker and his wife, Autumn, have three children: a son, Corey Jr., and two daughters, Avery and Ashlynn

David Johnson

David Johnson was named Florida State’s running backs coach and recruiting coordinator on Jan. 5, 2020, and is in his fifth season with the Seminoles in 2024.

He has coached 19 all-conference performers who have combined to earn 29 all-conference recognitions, including four Special Teams Player of the Year honors. Johnson has produced an NFL Draft pick in each of the last seven years.

In 2023, Florida State completed a 13-0 regular season that culminated in the program’s 16th ACC championship with a victory over No. 14 Louisville in the ACC Championship Game and earned a berth in the Orange Bowl behind an offense that led the conference in scoring for the second consecutive year. Florida State’s 34.6 points-per-game average was bolstered by a program-record-tying 20 different players scoring at least one touchdown and ranked 19th overall in the country. The Seminoles also led the ACC with 61 total touchdowns scored, 32 rushing touchdowns and an average of 13.5 yards per completion while posting the conference’s fewest interceptions thrown and total turnovers.

Trey Benson, a third-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2024 NFL Draft, showcased his explosiveness and versatility during an All-ACC season, becoming the first player in program history with an 80-yard touchdown run and an 80-yard touchdown reception in a career and also tying the program record with three games scoring three rushing touchdowns. Benson finished the 2023 season with 1,133 all-purpose yards with 14 rushing touchdowns and one receiving score. His rushing touchdowns total tied for seventh on FSU’s single-season list and ranked second in the ACC and 15th nationally in 2023, while his 15 total touchdowns were second in the conference and his average of 5.81 yards per carry ranked fourth. Benson, who in 2022 became the first FSU runner with a three-rushing-score game against Florida, matched that total to account for all three touchdowns in a 24-15 win at UF in 2023. He posted his first 200-yard rushing game in the win vs. Virginia Tech, the fifth-highest rushing total in Doak Campbell Stadium history, and broke the FSU’s single-game rushing average record with a mark of 18.2 yards per carry to better Warrick Dunn’s record set in 1995.

Lawrance Toafili was named ACC Championship Game MVP after rushing for a career-high 118 yards, including a career-long 73-yard rush, and the go-ahead touchdown in FSU’s 16-6 victory. Toafili’s 73-yard run was the second-longest rushing play in ACC Championship Game history, and he became the third FSU running back to be named ACC Championship Game MVP and first since Dalvin Cook in 2014. Toafili, who ended the season with 649 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns, also led the team with 93 rushing yards in the 41-3 win over Syracuse.

In 2022, Johnson’s running backs contributed to one of the most explosive offenses in the nation while helping lead FSU to a 10-3 record and a final ranking of No. 10 in the Coaches Poll and No. 11 in the AP poll. Florida State led the nation with its average of 7.46 plays of 20-plus yards per game, the program’s highest season average since the 2013 national championship, and was third in the country with an explosive play rate of 17.15 percent. The Seminoles were one of two teams nationally to average at least 270 passing yards and at least 210 rushing yards per game in 2022. FSU also tied for the national lead with eight touchdown drives of 90-plus yards, and its 16 touchdown drives of 80-plus yards were third-most in the country.

The Seminoles led the ACC in third-down offense, yards gained per pass, yards gained per play, yards gained per rush, total offense per game, yards per completion, rushing offense per game and scoring offense per game. Florida State was the first team to lead the ACC in scoring offense and total in the same season since 2019 and was one of two teams nationally to lead its conference in yards per rush, yards per pass and yards per play in 2022.

Florida State’s average of 214.1 rushing yards per game was the program’s highest since 1995 and was bolstered by eight 200-yard rushing games, including a school-record-tying seven straight to end the regular season. In the season opener, FSU had three 100-yard rushers for the first time in school history and in the regular season finale, a 45-38 win over Florida, the Seminoles’ five rushing touchdowns were the most by a Gator opponent since 1997.

Benson, a second-team All-ACC performer, paced the running backs with his five 100-yard rushing games, including three consecutive career-high totals, and led the ACC with his average of 5.5 yards per carry. Treshaun Ward, who had two 100-yard rushing games, was an honorable mention all-conference selection and semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy despite missing four games due to injury. The running back group combined for 2,283 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns.

The 2021 season featured a breakout performance by All-ACC running back Jashaun Corbin. The redshirt sophomore totaled 1,159 all-purpose yards, and his average of 6.2 yards per carry ranked first in the conference and 16th nationally among rushers with at least 10 rushing attempts per game. Corbin showed off his amazing speed with touchdown runs of 89 yards against Notre Dame and 75 yards against Louisville. He was the only rusher in the ACC and one of six nationally with multiple 75-yard runs in the 2021 season and only the fourth player in program history with multiple 75-yard touchdowns runs in a season.

The running back group also received significant contributions from Ward and Toafili in their redshirt freshmen years. Ward rushed for 515 yards and four touchdowns, and his average of 6.36 yards per carry was the highest in the ACC among rushers with at least four attempts per game. Toafili rushed for 163 yards and one touchdown and added 116 yards and two touchdowns receiving. Toafili caught a 75-yard touchdown at Clemson, which made him the fifth player in program history with a receiving and rushing touchdown of at least 70 yards in a career.

In his first year at Florida State, Johnson coached a completely new group as Florida State’s running back room featured zero returning scholarship players from the previous season. He utilized the group’s youth and versatility to account for 1,855 all-purpose yards, led by Corbin and Toafili, and 13 touchdowns, including Ja’Khi Douglas’ two receiving scores. Against Duke, Corbin rushed for a career-high three touchdowns, one shy of the school record, and Toafili posted a career-best 117 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown, on only seven carries. Toafili was one of only 12 rushers in the ACC with a 70-yard run in 2020.

Florida State averaged 199.9 rushing yards per game, the program’s highest since 2016 and 20th nationally among teams that played at least nine games in 2020, and 5.11 yards per rush, 16th in the nation among teams with at least 350 carries and FSU’s most in a season since 2015. In the season finale, a 56-35 win over Duke, Florida State rushed for six touchdowns, the most in the ACC and tied for the seventh-highest single-game total nationally in 2020. That also was only the second time in FSU history the Seminoles rushed for six touchdowns in a conference game, and the 346 rushing yards against Duke were the most by a Florida State team since 2012.

Johnson spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons at Tennessee after coaching on Mike Norvell’s Memphis staff in 2016 and 2017. Johnson also brought Division I experience from Tulane and before that spent 12 years as a high school coach in New Orleans around a four-year stint at Millsaps College.

Tennessee improved from four wins the season before Johnson arrived to eight wins and a Gator Bowl victory in 2019. He coached the Vols’ wide receivers in 2018 before moving to running backs in 2019, leading a group that produced five 100-yard rushing games.

Eric Gray broke UT’s single-game true freshman rushing record with 246 yards against Vanderbilt, a total that ranked fifth on the Vols’ all-time list. Nationally, it was the ninth-highest single-game total, and highest by a true freshman, in 2019. Gray was named Gator Bowl MVP after recovering an onside kick and scoring the game-winning touchdown 30 seconds later. The 2018 team ranked sixth in the SEC with an average of 7.9 yards per catch and had four different receivers average more than 14.0 yards per reception, led by Josh Palmer’s 21.04 average.

In his two seasons at Memphis, Johnson was the Tigers’ wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. He developed former walk-on Anthony Miller to consensus All-America honors in 2017 after Miller led the NCAA with 18 receiving touchdowns and ranked third in the country with 1,462 yards and fifth with 96 receptions. Miller was then selected 51st overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Memphis concluded the 2017 season ranked second in the country with an average of 45.5 points per game, fourth with 523.1 yards of total offense per game, sixth with a passing efficiency rating of 160.15 and seventh with an average of 335.0 passing yards per game.

The 2016 season was Miller’s breakout year as he re-wrote Memphis’ single-season records with 95 catches, 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns. Those numbers would all improve in Johnson’s second season working with Miller. The 2016 Tigers ranked 14th in the country with 304.4 passing yards per game, and their 38.8 points-per-game average was 15th.

Johnson joined Memphis after four seasons as Tulane’s running backs and tight ends coach. In 2014, he coached a Freshman All-American at each position as running back Sherman Badie led the Green Wave with 688 rushing yards and tight end Charles Jones caught 21 passes for 192 yards and a team-high three touchdowns. The 2013 team advanced to the program’s first bowl since 2002 and Orleans Darkwa was named MVP of the New Orleans Bowl after rushing for three touchdowns. Those three scores pushed his season total to 12, tied for the third-highest single-season output in program history, and allowed him to tie former NFL running back Matt Forte for the Tulane record with 39 career rushing scores.

From 2005-08, Johnson coached wide receivers, tight ends and special teams while also serving as the recruiting coordinator at Millsaps College. While there he helped lead the Majors to three consecutive SCAC championships and set the program up for a fourth straight in 2009.

Johnson was the head coach at St. Augustine High School from 2009-11. He led the Purple Knights to district titles in 2010 and 2011, earning the district’s Coach of the Year honor in 2011. In his first season he developed defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, who earned consensus All-America honors and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a Heisman finalist in 2011 at LSU. He also coached two-time USA Today High School All-American running back Leonard Fournette at St. Augustine, laying the foundation for a consensus All-America performance in 2015 and two All-SEC selections while at LSU before being drafted fourth overall in 2017 by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Johnson served as offensive coordinator at John F. Kennedy High School and O. Perry Walker High School. He helped direct O. Perry Walker to three straight district championships and the 2002 state championship game while coaching All-American Craig Davis, a first-round selection by the Chargers in 2007 after winning a national championship at LSU, and Mike Wallace, who was taken in the third round in 2009 out of Ole Miss.

A two-time all-conference player at Nicholls State, Johnson led the Colonels in receiving in 1992 and 1993. He totaled 50 receptions for 990 yards and eight touchdowns in those two seasons and also served as a punt returner for Nicholls.

Johnson graduated from Nicholls State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in general education. He and his wife, Akeia, have three children, Jermaine, De’Von and Karaaz.

Donté Williams

Donte Williams, a veteran of 15 years of coaching defensive backs at multiple power conference schools, was named the defensive backs coach at UGA in December of 2023.

Williams previously served in the same role at Southern California, where he served on the Trojans’ staff from 2020-2023. He was hired onto the staff as the defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach, serving in those roles in 2020. He was promoted to assistant coach in 2021 and also held those same duties. Following the head coaching change in 2021, Williams served as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2021 season. He continued to serve on new head coach Lincoln Riley’s staff in 2022 and ’23 as defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator.

During the 2022 season, Williams helped lead the program’s defense to a top-five national ranking in interceptions per game. He helped develop Mekhi Blackmon, an All-Pac-12 First Team member in 2022, during which he recorded 66 total tackles, two of which were for a loss of seven yards, 12 pass breakups, three interceptions a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. Blackmon was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Southern California won 11 games in. ’22 and earned a berth in the Cotton Bowl. In 2023, the Trojans advanced to the Holiday Bowl against Louisville.

Before he arrived at USC, Williams spent the 2018 and ’19 seasons at Oregon as the Ducks’ cornerbacks coach. The Ducks finished 2018 ranked 11th in the nation in interceptions with 17 and 2019 with the second-most of any program in the country with 20. Oregon went to bowl games in those seasons, winning the Redbox Bowl over Michigan State in 2018 and won the Rose Bowl in 2019 against No. 5 Wisconsin. Williams helped recruit Oregon's class of 2020, which ranked seventh in the nation and top in the Pac-12.

Williams was hired to coach the cornerbacks for Arizona in 2016. He then coached cornerbacks, nickelbacks and dimebacks at Nebraska in 2017, also assisting with the program’s pass-defense coordination.

Williams was hired by San Jose State in 2013 as the program’s cornerbacks coach and then was promoted to serve as both the defensive backs coach and the recruiting coordinator for the program, a position which he held for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. During the 2014 campaign, the Spartans only allowed 117.8 passing yards per game and gave up just six passing touchdowns on the season, both of which ranked top in the nation. The following year in 2015, SJSU continued its dominance in passing defense thanks to Williams, holding offenses to an average of 157.8 passing yards per game, the second lowest in the nation. The Spartans would finish the year winning the Cure Bowl, beating Georgia State 27-16. During his tenure, Williams was named a Top 10 National Recruiter by Sports Illustrated in 2015 and as the top recruiter in the Mountain West by 247Sports in 2014.

Williams was hired by current Texas coach Steve Sarkisian to join the staff at Washington as a graduate assistant for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. His responsibilities included assisting with overseeing the cornerbacks and linebackers for the Huskies, who spent time ranked during both seasons and made the Alamo Bowl in 2011 and the Las Vegas Bowl in 2012.

He earned his first spot on staff with an FBS program at Nevada in 2010 as a defensive quality control coach for the Wolfpack. The team went on to make the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco, where it beat Boston College, 20-13.

Williams began the first three years of his coaching career at a trio of small colleges as the cornerbacks coach at each stop. He was on staff for three different California schools for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons - at Los Angeles Harbor Community College, El Camino Junior College and Mount San Antonio Junior College, respectively.

Alongside his first stints in coaching, Williams also played two seasons in the Arena Football League 2 - for the Rio Grand Valley Dorados in 2007 and then the Arkansas Twisters in 2008.

Williams played high school football for Culver City High in California and eventually began his collegiate playing career as a defensive back at Pasadena City College in California for the 2002 season. He then played at Syracuse in 2003 before ending his collegiate career at Idaho State in 2004 and 2005, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications in the spring of 2006. Williams received All-Big Sky First Team recognitions and was selected as a team captain during both seasons playing for the Bengals.

Williams is married to his wife Jayna and the two have a son named King.

Doug Belk

Doug Belk, one of the biggest rising stars in college football's coaching landscape, enters his first season as USC’s secondary coach.

Belk spent the previous 5 seasons at Houston and has held the associate head coach/defensive coordinator role since 2021. From 2019-20, he was a co-defensive coordinator.

In his 5 seasons as a defensive or co-defensive coordinator at Houston, Belk has mentored 13 All-American Athletic Conference honorees, including 5 First Team selections, and 8 All-Big 12 Conference honorees, including 2 First Teamers. Five players from Belk's defenses have been selected in the NFL Draft including DL Payton Turner who was taken in the first round (28^th overall pick – 2021) by the New Orleans Saints and DE Logan Hall who was chosen in the second round (33^rd overall pick – 2022) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He rebranded Houston's defensive culture by bringing back a former nickname: The Third Ward Defense. This name emphasized toughness, grit and leaned into the city's history and culture.

After a challenging 2019 season and shortened 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Belk's defensive transformation began to come to fruition in 2021.

In 2021, Belk led one of the best pass defenses in the nation, allowing only 194 yards per game through the air, ranking 18th in the nation. Houston's 55.2 completion percentage allowed ranked eighth nationally. The 20.5 points per game allowed ranked 19th in the country and the 302.2 yards allowed ranked sixth. The Cougar defensive line, nicknamed "Sack Ave", racked up 45.0 sacks, ranked fifth nationally.

That season, Belk was named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award and was on the 2022 summer edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football 40 Under 40 list.

In 2022, Houston's defense ranked 11^th nationally. DL D'Anthony Jones led the nation in forced fumbles and DB Jayce Rogers finished second in the conference in interceptions. Four Houston defenders earned all-conference honors during 2022 including Jones as a First Team honoree.

In 2023, DB A.J. Haulcy finished the regular season ranked No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the AAC in solo tackles (6.1), while DL Nelson Ceaser was No. 9 in the nation and No. 1 in the AAC in sacks (6.1).

Prior to arriving in Houston, Belk served as the cornerbacks coach at West Virginia for 2 seasons.

The 2017 Mountaineer defense ranked No. 16 nationally in most defensive three-and-outs per game and No. 24 in third-down defense.

The 2018 season saw Belk's cornerbacks play a pivotal role in West Virginia ranking second in the Big 12 and No. 20 nationally with 15 interceptions. CB Keith Washington Jr. tied for fifth in the Big 12 with 3 interceptions on the year. West Virginia recorded 12 interceptions to rank No. 1 in the conference.

From 2014-16, Belk served as a defensive graduate assistant coach at Alabama working with the defensive backs. He worked directly with Head Coach Nick Saban and Defensive Coordinators Kirby Smart and Jeremy Pruitt, assisting with all aspects of the defensive secondary as well as with special teams. During his tenure at Alabama, the Crimson Tide was 40-4, earning 3 College Football Playoff appearances, winning the 2015 National Championship, finishing as national runner-up in 2016 and winning 3 SEC titles (2014-16).

The 2014 Crimson Tide defense was No. 6 nationally in scoring defense and No. 12 nationally in total defense. Belk helped develop S Landon Collins, who finished his senior season as a unanimous All-American selection and was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round.

The 2015 defense was No. 3 nationally in scoring defense and total defense, No. 10 in interceptions and No. 30 in passing yards allowed. Belk tutored S Eddie Jackson, who earned All-American honors as well as CB Minkah Fitzpatrick and CB Marlon Humphrey who were named to freshman All-American teams. He also worked with CB Cyrus Jones who was drafted in the second round by the New York Giants.

The 2016 defense was No. 1 nationally in scoring defense and No. 2 in total defense. The unit was also No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the SEC in pass efficiency defense, No. 14 in interceptions and No. 24 in passing yards allowed. That season, Fitzpatrick was named a consensus All-American, Humphrey earned All-America First-Team honors and Jackson was an All-SEC First-Teamer.

Prior to Alabama, Belk was the secondary coach at Valdosta State in Valdosta, Ga. from 2012-13. During the 2011 season, he was a defensive assistant and worked with special teams.

During his tenure, the Blazers produced a 24-10 record and won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2012. Belk coached 2 Division II All-Americans, 2 Academic All-Americans and 3 All-Gulf South Conference selections. CBs Dominique Wheeler and Matt Pierce signed free agent contracts in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, respectively.

Jeff Owens

Coach Owens' football career began at the collegiate level playing for the University of Georgia from 2005-2009 where he earned his bachelor's degree in child and family development. He started 39 games, was on their SEC Championship Team in 2005, and was named First-Team ALL-SEC that year. Owens was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2010 NFL Draft in the seventh round.

Owens began his coaching career in 2011 at West Forsyth High School where he served as Defensive Line Coach. He then was the Defensive Line Coach at Plantation High School before making the leap to the collegiate level as Assistant Defensive Line Coach at Savannah State University. Coach Owens joined Coach Russell's staff at Kentucky Christian University in 2022.

Owens was raised in Sunrise, Florida. He is married to his wife Shauntavia and they have three children together.

Jo Catanese

Joan Catanese has joined the Millikin football coaching staff serving as the Tight Ends coach.

Catanese comes to Millikin after spending the last 13 years at Huntington High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. Catanese most recently served as the Assistant Head Coach at Huntingdon. Catanese has experience on coaching a variety of position on offense and working with special teams.

In 2022, Catanese was a Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Intern with the Atlanta Falcons worked with the Special Teams Coordinator and Special Teams coaches. Catanese is a member of the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches serving on the executive committee.

Catanese has also coached soccer and track and field on the high school level.

Larry Scott

On Feb. 6, 2020, Howard University announced Larry Scott as its football head coach. Scott joined the Bison Family with more than 15 years of collegiate experience, including six postseason bowl/playoff game victories (10 appearances overall).

The Sebring, Fla., native has spent a majority of his coaching career in the state of Florida, where he attended (1997-99) and coached (2006-12) at South Florida as well as Miami (2013-15) and most recently Florida (2018-2020). Prior to joining the Florida coaching staff, Scott was a member of Ethan Wolfe staff at the University of Tennessee (2016-17).

A 2000 graduate from the University of South Florida (USF), Scott played offensive lineman for the Bulls. After four seasons of high school coaching experience, Scott joined the USF staff in 2005 as Director of High School Relations. During his time at USF, Scott coached the offensive line, tight ends and running backs as well as serving as a lead recruiter.

In 2008, Scott helped lead the Bulls to their best recruiting class in program history, only to surpass that class with the nation’s No. 21 ranked class in 2009.

During his time in Coral Gables, Scott served as the Hurricanes’ tight ends coach for two-plus seasons (2013-15) prior to being named their interim head coach for the final six games of 2015. As Miami’s interim coach, Scott led the Hurricanes to a 4-2 mark and a berth in the Sun Bowl.

Howard (2020-present)
In 2023, Scott guided the Bison to its second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title and first ever appearance to the Cricket Celebration Bowl. After the season, 42 student-athletes were named to the MEAC Football All-Academic Team while 14 Bison earned All-MEAC honors, including defensive back Kenny Gallop, Jr., who received numerous accolades, including 2023 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year.

In only his second full season at the helm, Scott led the program to a share of the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Regular Season Title, its first championship since 1993. Additionally, he saw 17 Bison earn All-MEAC honors, including defensive back Kenny Gallop, Jr., who received BOXTOROW HBCU All-American honor.

After playing a pair of games during the 2021 COVID-19 spring season, Scott coached 10 Bison to the All-MEAC Team following the 2021 fall campaign.

On Oct. 2, 2021, Scott earned his first win as Bison head coach, knocking off FCS powerhouse Sacred Heart at Greene Stadium.

Before each home game throughout the 2021 fall season, the program implemented "The Bison Walk," featuring the Howard University Showtime Band, Cheerleaders and football team marching through campus towards Greene Stadium.

In Dec. 2021, Scott signed the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history.

Florida (2018-2020)
Scott spent two seasons with Dan Mullen as the assistant coach and tight ends coach, where he guided his position group to multiple personal bests and better numbers than in years prior.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, Scott saw Kyle Pitts selected fourth overall by the Atlanta Falcons, making him the highest drafted tight end in league history.

Scott helped devise game plans each week that allowed 11 different Gators to record a touchdown reception in 2018 and 10 in 2019.

Blocking was a huge emphasis for Scott and his student-athletes, that attention to detail throughout the offseason and practice paid off as Florida’s running backs totaled 2,771 yards rushing on 526 attempts in 2018. He concluded the 2019 season with 1,956 yards rushing on 398 attempts.

Tennessee (2016-17)
Scott helped Ethan Wolf cap his career in 2017 as one of the greatest tight ends in Rocky Top history. Wolf ranked No. 2 among UT tight ends in career receptions (91) and No. 3 in receiving yards (998) and led the Vols with 47 starts.

Tennessee’s offense in 2017 saw running back John Kelly (778 rush yards, 37 catches) join Penn State’s Saquon Barkley (1,271 rush yards, 54 catches) as the only two players in the Power 5 to lead their teams in rushing and receptions.

In 2016, Tennessee averaged 24.9 yards on 42 kickoff returns and 11.1 yards on 33 punt returns while punter Trevor Daniel averaged 44.6 yards per punt and kicker Aaron Medley scored 94 points (11 field goals, 61 extra points) while booting a personal-best 45 touchbacks on kickoffs.

UT’s tight ends combined for 45 receptions, 499 yards and two touchdowns in 2016 and helped pave the way for 2,668 rushing yards (5.2-yard average). Scott tutored fifth-year senior Jason Croom, who made the transition from wide receiver to tight end in 2016, to 21 catches for 242 yards on the season.

Miami (2013-15)
Scott spent two-plus seasons as the Hurricanes’ tight ends coach prior to being named their interim head coach for the final six games of 2015. As Miami’s interim head coach, Scott led the Hurricanes to a 4-2 mark and a berth in the Sun Bowl.

In 2014, Scott oversaw a tight end unit that combined for 52 receptions and 833 yards receiving. He also mentored Clive Walford, who had a breakout 2014 campaign where he led the team in receptions with 44.

Under Scott’s watchful eye, Walford earned third team All-America and second team All-ACC honors.

Following the year, Walford was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.

USF (2005-12)
Prior to coming to Coral Gables, Scott spent the previous eight seasons at USF, beginning in 2005 as the director of high school relations. In 2006, he moved to a graduate assistant role before coaching tight ends in 2007-08 and again in 2010-11. Between tight end coaching stints, he coached the offensive line in 2009. In 2012, he coached the running backs and became an offensive assistant.

During his second stint as the Bulls’ TE coach, Scott and his group helped USF to its fifth-straight eight-win season, making it one of only 15 programs nationally and one of just 10 in BCS leagues to accomplish the feat.

High School (2001-04)
Scott’s coaching career began in the high school ranks as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Tampa’s Wharton High School for four months (May-August) in 2001. From there, he was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach from for three seasons (2001-03) at Freedom High School before returning to his alma mater, Sebring High School, in 2004 as the co-offensive coordinator.

Education:
University of South Florida, 2000, bachelor’s degree in communications

Collegiate Playing Experience:
University of South Florida

Three-year letter winner as an offensive tackle
Member of the South Florida first recruiting class that began practicing in 1996

Michael Johnson

Veteran coach Michael Johnson joined Syracuse as the program’s wide receivers coach in 2022, bringing an NFL and collegiate coaching tenure that spans over 20 years at the sport’s highest levels.

In his first season with the Orange, the team's passing offense saw much needed improvement from the year prior. The team's passing efficiency rating upgraded from 108th in the FBS in 2021, to 45th nationally and fourth in the ACC in one season. The Orange also improved to eighth in the ACC in total offense (from 10th), seventh in passing offense (from 14th), second in red zone offense (from 13th) and seventh in scoring offense (from 10th) in his first season at ‘Cuse.

The Orange saw targets spread around in 2022, as seven different players on Syracuse's roster caught 15-or-more passes, as opposed to five the year prior. Tight end Oronde Gadsden II led all pass catchers with Orange TE records for receptions (61) and yards (969). In the wide receiver room, seventh year player Devaughn Cooper and third year sophomore Damien Alford each had their most productive college seasons ever, finishing with 490 and 429 yards, respectively.

Prior to Syracuse, Johnson most recently coached at Florida Atlantic as the team’s Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks coach in 2021. His career also includes stops with Mississippi State, Oregon, The King’s Academy, UCLA, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers and Oregon State.

At FAU, Johnson helped N’Kosi Perry rank in the top-55 nationally of seven major passing categories, including: Passing Efficiency (55), Passing TDs (41), Passing Yards (51), Passing Yards Per Game (49), Passing Yards Per Completion (34), Points Responsible For (51) and Points Responsible For Per game (48).

He last coached wideouts with Mississippi State in 2019 in an offense that averaged over 400 yards of total offense per game.

Prior to that, he spent three seasons at Oregon. A strong recruiter, Johnson helped being in the No. 5 ranked recruiting class nationally in 2018. On the field, Johnson’s wide receiver unit featured the best individual performance at the position in program history in 2018. Junior Dillon Mitchell finished with 75 catches for a single-season record 1,184 yards receiving, which also led the Pac-12, and 10 touchdowns. He was named second-team All-Pac-12 by both conference coaches and The Associated Press.

Before his time at Oregon, Johnson was the head coach at The King’s Academy from 2014-16 in Sunnyvale, California, where he coached his highly recruited son, Michael Johnson Jr.

Johnson spent the 2011 season as the offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach at UCLA. In his one year with the Bruins, he helped them to the Pac-12 title game and served as the interim head coach in the Fight Hunger Bowl. That season, wide receiver Nelson Rosario finished fifth in the conference in receiving yards (1,161).

His time in Westwood came on the heels of a two-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers, serving as the offensive coordinator in 2010 after working with quarterbacks in 2009. He played a key role in the development of Shaun Hill and Alex Smith. In ’09, the duo combined for 23 passing touchdowns, which was the most for the team since the 2003 season.

In a two-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens (2006-07), Johnson was the wide receivers coach, helping veteran wideout Derek Mason post his sixth-career 1,000-yard season in 2007. He also coached Mark Clayton to record 939 yards receiving and five touchdowns in 2006, emerging as the Ravens’ top playmaker.

Johnson spent the four previous seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, coaching quarterbacks from 2003-05 and wide receivers in 2002. He mentored Michael Vick to three-straight Pro Bowls in his time in the QB room. Vick passed for 2,412 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2005, while ranking second on the team with 597 rushing yards. Vick became the first NFL quarterback to throw for more than 250 yards and run for more than 100 yards in a single game at Denver during the 2004 season.

Johnson’s first NFL coaching job came with the San Diego Chargers in 2000. He was the quarterbacks coach for a unit that had Drew Brees, Jim Harbaugh, Ryan Leaf and Doug Flutie over his two years with the group. Flutie threw for 3,476 passing yards in 2001, while Johnson mentored the then rookie Brees at the start of his record-breaking career.

He began his coaching career at Oregon State, where he coached both wide receivers and quarterbacks in his tenure. In 1999, he helped guide the Beavers program to their first bowl game since 1960.

Johnson was a record-setting quarterback at Akron (1988-89) and also played at Arizona State and Mesa Community College. He went on to play four seasons in the World Football League and Canadian Football League.

Johnson and his wife Louan have one daughter, Taylor, and one son, Michael Jr. Michael Jr. plays quarterback at Florida Atlantic University and Taylor was a track and field student-athlete at Nebraska.

Mickey Grace

Mickey Grace

North East Region

In, 2009, Mickey Grace started her football journey as a Defensive End at Germantown High School in Philadelphia, PA. After earning all-city honors, she then went on to play D1 Women’s Rugby at West Chester University while volunteering at Dr. MLK Jr high school during the Philadelphia budget crisis as depicted in the ESPN documentary ‘We Could Be King.’ Since then, Coach Mickey has made momentous strides in her career, as evident in her most recent endeavor as an operations and coaching intern at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018) and Miami Dolphins Bill Walsh Fellow (2020.) To note, Coach Mick served as the acting head coach of the Women’s Football Alliance’s 2018 Philly Phantomz, where Coach Mickey is still an honored and active member of the board. In the off season she serves as a skills consultant of all levels at Probing Elite Performance and Fitness. She enters into her 5th year as the Defensive Line Coach and Director of Operations of the Mastery Charter North Football Program, servicing 5 different Mastery High Schools. Mostly recently Coach Mickey Grace was named one of the 2020 Scouting apprentices for the LA Rams.

Coach Mickey is an advocate for the development of athletes and coaches of all sports and at all levels, for mental health, for minorities and for women in sports. Mickey has even been featured in an NFL Film, “She’s My Coach: The Mickey Grace Story” leading to the trending #ShesMyCoach, a women and girls development forum. Her extensive career made her one of the most prominent female voices in the football community.

Otis Yelverton

Ra'Shaad Samples

Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning officially announced the hiring of Ra'Shaad Samples as the Ducks' new assistant head coach and running backs coach on April 9, 2024.

Samples joins the Ducks after spending the 2023 season as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Arizona State. He was the running backs coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, after being hired as the youngest position coach in the NFL.

Still just 29 years old, Samples will be an FBS assistant head coach for the third time in his career. He spent time as the assistant head coach and running backs coach at TCU in 2021 before joining the Rams, following three seasons at SMU. He began at SMU in 2019 as an offensive assistant with an emphasis on recruiting, and was elevated to running backs coach and recruiting coordinator before being promoted to assistant head coach.

"We are thrilled to be able to add a coach of Ra'Shaad's caliber to our program," Lanning said. "Coach Samples is one of the brightest young coaches in all of football, and it is easy to see why he has had such a rapid rise through the coaching ranks. He is a dynamic personality who will bring out the very best in our student-athletes both on and off the field, and he will recruit relentlessly to bring the best young men we can find to our program. I am excited to see the impact Ra'Shaad has on our players' development as we continue to build upon the storied history of running backs here at Oregon."

A former receiver, Samples spent 2013 and 2014 at Oklahoma State before transferring to Houston for 2015 and 2016. He joined Houston's staff as an offensive assistant for 2016 and 2017 after dealing with injuries, and then went to Texas as an offensive assistant and on-campus recruiting coordinator in 2018. While at Texas, Samples worked with current Oregon tight ends coach Drew Mehringer, who was the Longhorns' receivers coach at the time.

"First, I want to thank Kenny Dillingham and the opportunity he gave me at Arizona state," Samples said. "He played a big part in my growth but I am tremendously excited and grateful join Dan Lanning and his highly regarded staff at Oregon. The chance to learn from some of the best minds in football is invaluable. I am looking forward to adding value and becoming a part of the championship culture Oregon is continuously building on."

While at Arizona State, Samples oversaw the development of receiver Elijhah Badger, who was an all-Pac-12 honorable mention selection in 2023 after racking up 65 receptions for 713 and three touchdowns.

Upon being hired by the Rams as the NFL's youngest position coach, Samples was instrumental in the evaluation, draft selection and development of running back Kyren Williams, who went on to make the Pro Bowl in his second season after rushing for 1,144 yards.

In his stint at TCU, Samples played a key role in the signing of Emani Bailey, who went on to rush for 1,209 yards on 223 carries in the 2023 season.

Samples developed a relationship as one of the nation's elite recruiters while at SMU, where he received a promotion each year on his way to being named assistant head coach. The Mustangs' 2021 recruiting class was the highest-ranked in program history, and Samples finished as the No. 1 recruiter in the conference (247Sports) after the December Signing Day period.

During the 2020 season, Samples was listed among 247Sports' 30-under 30 list and was on Dave Campbell's 40-under-40 list in 2021. He mentored Ulysses Bentley IV to FWAA Freshman all-America honors and AAC Rookie of the Year honors, after he led the league with 913 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games.

In his first season at SMU, Samples coached FWAA second-team all-American and first-team all-AAC selection James Proche to a nation-leading 111 receptions for 1,225 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns. Proche was selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Samples caught 62 passes for 1,072 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior while playing for his father, Reginald Samples, at Skyline High School. He also had 65 catches for 1,369 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior, and would go on to be a consensus four-star prospect and a top-20 receiving prospect in the nation.

Reginald Ruffin

Reginald Ruffin, who has more than two decades of experience as a coach and administrator in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, was named the Director of Athletics at Tuskegee University on Dec. 21, 2021. He later stepped down from coaching after the 2022 season to focus solely on administration. Ruffin spent the previous 10 years at Miles, most recently as the athletic director and head football coach.

Ruffin hit the ground running in his role as Tuskegee’s athletic director and head coach as he immediately resurrected the football program, leading the Golden Tigers to an 8-3 record, eclipsing the 700 all-time win mark for the program, and reaching the SIAC Championship Game in his lone year at the helm. Ultimately, he named Tuskegee graduate Aaron James as the 18th head football coach in January of 2023.

Throughout Ruffin’s first 15 months at Tuskegee, 11 of 12 reached conference postseason play, while three programs advanced to their respective national tournaments, highlighted by both men and women’s basketball making the NCAA South Regional Tournament, and softball also going to the South Regional Tournament for the second straight year.

Men’s basketball advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four postseasons, and baseball hosted back-to-back regionals for the first time in program history.

Also notably, Ruffin has played a major role in the facility upgrade and advancement project, which began in 2022, that included work on the Cleve Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium, Daniel “Chappie” James Arena, Pepsico Tennis Courts, TU Softball Field and Washington Field.

Ruffin's appointment comes at a crucial time as the athletics department prepares for the upcoming football recruiting season.Ruffin's leadership will allow Tuskegee to get off to a quick start this spring.

"We are excited to see the return of Reginald Ruffin to Tuskegee," said President Charlotte P. Morris. "He has proven himself a leader in SIAC football, and we look forward to him taking our program to the next level."

Ruffin returns to Tuskegee after completing one of the most successful decades in the history of Miles College and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In nine seasons at the helm of the Golden Bears, Ruffin has led the program to four SIAC championships and an additional SIAC Championship game appearance. The school has also made two NCAA postseason appearances. Over nine seasons, Ruffin has won more than 60 percent of his games, going 59-39 overall, and was named SIAC Coach of the Year three times.

Ruffin spent five seasons at Tuskegee as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach from 2006-2010. As defensive coordinator at Tuskegee, Ruffin had the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) top scoring, pass, and rushing defense in 2007. His team's defense finished second in scoring and among the leaders in most defensive categories in 2008 and posted the league's top defense in 2009.

Before his first stint with the Golden Tigers in 2002-2003, he served as athletic director and head football coach at Choctaw County High School in Butler, Alabama. Other stops included times at West Georgia, his alma mater, North Alabama, and Jackson High School in Jackson, Alabama.

Ruffin is a 1998 graduate of the University of North Alabama and holds a Master's degree in Education Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During his playing days at the UNA, he became the Lions'second three-time All-American and is the only Lion to be named All-America at two different positions: a defensive end in 1995 and 1996 and a linebacker in 1997. A four-year starter, he established a school record with 34 career sacks and the school single-season sack record with 11 in 1994. During his career, the Lions went 43-9 and won two Division II National Championships. In 2020, he was inducted into the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1994, Ruffin was selected Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year. In 1995, he was selected first-team All-Gulf South Conference, first-team CoSIDA NCAA Division II All-South Region, third-team CoSIDA NCAA Division II All- American, third-team C. M. Frank All-American, and honorable mention Football Gazette All-American in 1996. Ruffin was selected second-team All-American in 1996 by the Associated Press, CoSIDA, Football Gazette, and All-Gulf South Conference and first-team CoSIDA All-South Region. In 1997, he was selected first-team All-American by the Associated Press, Football Gazette, American Football Coaches Association, and second-team All-American pick by Daktronics as a linebacker.

Ruffin is the father of one son, Gabriel.

Rodney Saulsberry Sr.

In 1998, Rodney Saulsberry returned to his alma mater, Whitehaven High School (class of 1991) and commenced his journey, desiring to leave his mark on the Whitehaven community. He started as an assistant football coach and worked in that capacity for five seasons. In the spring of 2004, he was appointed Head Coach. Under his leadership, he has led the Mighty Tigers to a 180-48 record in 18 seasons reestablishing the program as a playoff fixture. In 2010, Coach Saulsberry led the Tigers to the 1st state semifinal game in the storied history of the program with a 12-2 record. He was named Coach of the Year for Region 8-5A in 2008 and for District 16-AAA in 2010 & 2012. In 2011, his Tigers finished 14-1 on the season making it to the 6A State Championship Game for the 1st time in program history since the 1969 start of the State Playoffs losing to Maryville. In 2012, the Mighty Tigers finished a perfect season at 15-0 bringing the 1st State Championship to the HAVEN beating Maryville 36-35 in a thrilling overtime game. In the 2016 season his Tigers finished with another 15-0 season claiming their 2nd 6A State Championship defeating Murfreesboro Oakland 12-9 in a tough contest. Coach Saulsberry was named Coach of the Year for the State of Tennessee by the Tennessee Titans and Coach of the Year for the Shelby-Metro area in both the 2012 and 2016 seasons. Last season, the Tigers finished with a record of 5-5, missing the playoffs for the first season in 16 years and missing the entire 2020 season due to COVID-19. Coach Saulsberry was named the winner of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Power of Influence Award in 2024 after being named as one of the Region finalists for the award in 2023. Even though he loves coaching, his greater goal is to ensure that his players further their education, sustaining the Whitehaven High School program’s history of producing high quality student athletes. Coach Saulsberry is continuing the legacy of Stan Collins, his former Head Coach, and embracing his motto of “use football to further your education, don’t let football use you.” This motto remains the hallmark of the program, stressing that our goal is to create positive and productive members of the Whitehaven community and society, in general. He holds an annual academic workshop covering NCAA qualifications, standardized testing (ACT), and character building to drive his players to become students first and athletes second. Through his efforts, he has guided over 200 student-athletes to earn college scholarships with more to come, adding to the over 400 collegians produced by the program since 1980. Coach Saulsberry wants his players to stay Tigers for Life with the creed “Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger.” Coach Saulsberry is happily married (Alicia), the father of four children (Titus, Rodney Jr, Trevor, and JyMae) and a proud grandfather of three (Karter, Kingston and Kaleah). He currently serves as a mathematics instructor at Whitehaven holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Austin Peay State University and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the University of Memphis. He serves on the advisory committee for the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches. He is the co-founder of the Minority Coaches Association of Tennessee. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Football Coaches Association and the Autozone Liberty Bowl. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Delta Lambda Chapter since the spring of 1999.
Rodney Saulsberry will always bleed Black and Gold.

Sparky McEwen

Sparky McEwen enters his eighth season at the helm of the Davenport football program. He was the 2022 GLIAC Coach of the Year and is a veteran coach who brings to the table over thirty years of coaching experience with 26 of those serving as Head Coach. McEwen has led the Davenport University Panthers to a meteoric rise since being named Head Football Coach in February of 2017. In the brief history of the program, McEwen’s Panthers have qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs, and has been ranked as high as ninth nationally in 2023. McEwen’s teams have improved consistently and are 16-5 over the last two seasons.

During his inaugural 2017 season, McEwen led the Panthers in their first season of NCAA Division II and GLIAC play. 2017 was a season of growth and maturation marked by close games. Three contests that season were decided in overtime. The team set school rushing attempts (65) and rushing yards (386) records in their win over McKendree.

In 2018, the Panthers showed tremendous growth in year two under McEwen. The team began the season 6-0, secured a national ranking and won their first three GLIAC contests. The team won a thriller in the final 10 seconds at Michigan Tech (23-21) for the school's first GLIAC win. They also defeated Northern Michigan 31-30 in overtime coming back from a 24-9 deficit with under eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter. The eye-opening statement came at Wayne State with a 37-14 victory. The Panther offense gained 377 yards and limited the Warriors to 107 yards on 43 plays. DU ran 30 more plays in the game controlling the clock. The Panthers took No. 8 Grand Valley State to the wire on Oct. 20 falling 19-14 on a touchdown with 1:36 left. They also lost a tough 24-17 overtime contest to Saginaw Valley State in the season finale on Nov. 10 in Caledonia. The Panthers had the second largest win differential total in Division II from the 2017 to 2018 season going from 1-10 to 6-5.

The 2019 season was another marked by big wins over difficult competition both in and out of conference play. A marquee win came in week three with a 35-24 victory over nationally-ranked Lindenwood (MO). The Panther defense posted eight sacks versus the Lions setting the school record for sacks in one game. Following their loss to the Panthers, the Lions went on to capture the 2019 GLVC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. In 2019, the Panthers also secured victories over tough GLIAC competition including a 21-7 win versus Northern Michigan in the Superior Dome, a 21-14 victory over Northwood and a 33-23 road win at Saginaw Valley State. The Panthers secured team records of 390 passing yards and 7.1 yards per play in their nail-biting 30-27 loss at Ashland.

The 2020 season was reduced to just two games during the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Panthers played Gannon University twice during the spring and won both of those contests.

The 2021 season saw the Panthers get a hard-fought 10-6 win in week two on the road at Walsh. The defense came up big on the final possession for the Cavaliers. Walsh drove to the DU 10-yard line and a quarterback scramble on the final play was stopped at the two-yard line. The Panthers then improved to 5-0 all-time in homecoming games on Oct. 9 with a 18-13 GLIAC win over Northern Michigan. The team compiled 303 total yards and held the Wildcats to 201 total yards including just 66 rushing yards. The final win of the season occurred on Oct. 23 at Northwood in the final GLIAC contest between the two schools. Isaac Van Dyke got the start at quarterback and helped guide the team to 189 rushing yards and 348 total yards. Caleef Jenkins had a pair of rushing touchdowns and Van Dyke had the other touchdown on the ground.

In 2022, McEwen guided the Panthers to one of the best turnarounds in NCAA Division II. He took the Panthers from a regular season record of 3-8 in 2021 to a record of 8-2. For the first time in the short history of Davenport football, the team received an NCAA Division II playoff bid. The Panthers set a season record with eight wins and began the season with an 8-0 record before finishing the season by facing two of the premier opponents not only regionally but nationally. Davenport reached as high as 13th nationally after that 8-0 start and had never been nationally ranked before the 2022 season. McEwen turned the program around with a revamped offense that put up big numbers. In 2021, Davenport averaged under 10 points per game and in 2022, the average increased to 32.9 points per game. McEwen’s squad was the top passing offense in the conference (249.9 yards per game). The defense also posted some impressive numbers ranking seventh nationally and first in the GLIAC in takeaways with 26. The pass defense was also a highlight ranking 11th nationally and first in the conference allowing 154.2 yards per game.

The 2023 season proved to be the second straight season in which the Panthers won eight games. The Panthers were once again nationally ranked in NCAA Division II after starting the season at 8-0 for the second straight season and climbed as high as No. 9 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. He coached a total of 17 players who were named to the GLIAC postseason awards including GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year in Myren Harris. In total, there were six players who were named First Team All-GLIAC including Harris, Preston Smith, Trent Allen, Geemontae Peck, Julius Wilkerson, and Alaric Wooten. DU had a highlight performance at Michigan Tech on Sept. 3 to improve to 4-0. It was the first shutout of an opponent since joining NCAA Division II. They also had a comeback win at home against Saginaw Valley State in which they scored on the final drive for the 24-21 victory. The only losses in the last two years for the program (16-5) came away teams nationally ranked in the top seven at the time of competition.

Prior to coming to Davenport University, McEwen spent five seasons at his alma mater Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. From 1987 until 1990, McEwen was a four-year starter, playing multiple positions including quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, and punt returner for the Bulldogs. As a member of the Ferris State coaching staff, he served as passing game coordinator, receivers coach, pro liaison, and alumni relations liaison. He played an integral role in guiding the Bulldogs to national prominence and to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons as a member of NCAA Division II and the GLIAC. The team posted a 28-game regular season win streak from 2013-2016. The Bulldogs also made a NCAA Division II semifinal appearance in 2016 with a 47-32 quarterfinal win over rival Grand Valley State University.

Before stepping back onto the outdoor field, McEwen spent more than a decade as a professional football player and coach in the Arena Football League serving with both the Grand Rapids Rampage and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. He began his Arena Football career as a quarterback with the Grand Rapids Rampage in 1998 and served as the team's offensive assistant and pro scout in 2000. In 2001, McEwen was promoted to Rampage Offensive Coordinator. During his tenure as Offensive Coordinator, the team posted their three best seasons from 2001-2003, which included winning ArenaBowl XV in 2001. Under his direction, the Rampage's offense scored more points than any other team in the Arena Football League and gained more yards over the three-year span.

In 2004, McEwen became the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator in Oklahoma City for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. McEwen guided the expansion team to numerous offensive records and their first-ever playoff appearance. After the successful 2004 season, McEwen was highly sought after and accepted the position of Head Coach and Director of Football Operations for the Grand Rapids Rampage. McEwen held that position for three seasons from 2005-2008 and assisted in turning around the struggling franchise. McEwen went back to Oklahoma City as Head Coach and President of Football Operations to rebuild their franchise. Under his direction, the OKC Yard Dawgz were known for their high scoring offense and tenacious defense and in 2009 the team was back in the playoff hunt.

McEwen began his coaching career as a successful high school football head coach in Grand Rapids at Creston High School. In 1996, McEwen returned to his struggling alma mater and turned them into a perennial power. He led the Polar Bears to the 1999 state championship game, three City League titles, and six straight playoff appearances. Dozens of his high school student-athletes received NCAA DI and DII scholarship offers. McEwen held the reins at Creston from 1996 until 2003.

McEwen, a top-notch national recruiter, is known for bringing in student athletes who make an immediate impact in the programs he manages. He recruits smart, athletic, hard-working, disciplined football players who can develop as leaders both on and off the field.

Over his tenure, McEwen has coached hundreds of athletes at both the amateur and professional levels. With over a decade of pro liaison experience, he has helped to guide dozens of amateur athletes onto professional football rosters with the AFL, CFL and NFL. His eye for talent and ability to develop players has made him a trusted resource to professional scouts. During McEwen’s tenure, Davenport has already advanced players to the NFL. Student-athletes Brian Williams (Minnesota Vikings) & Derek Calloway (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) earned invites to NFL mini-camps in the spring of 2019.

McEwen has been a pillar in the West Michigan community for over two decades. He is well known and respected throughout the state. McEwen has played a significant role in fundraising, the establishment of youth development programs, community service, and mentorships in local schools and organizations. McEwen understands the importance of not only his involvement but also of the importance of his players, fellow coaches and the entire football family giving back to the community. Regular visits to local elementary schools to read to students as well as visits to local children’s hospitals have always been and will continue to be a part of Coach McEwen’s community involvement. He is considered a favorite speaker at local civic organizations, schools, media events, university classes and special events. McEwen was recognized for his civic efforts in 2009 as the recipient of the prestigious Giants TrailBlazer Award.

McEwen currently resides in Grand Rapids with his wife Christie (Cook). He is the proud father of three children who are all college graduates. His oldest, Charles III, resides in Arlington, Texas with his wife, Jessica McEwen, and their daughter, Jayel. His middle child, A.J. McEwen of Grand Rapids, is the Defensive Coordinator on the Panther coaching staff. A.J. received his undergraduate degree from Ferris State University and his graduate degree from Davenport University. His youngest, Janae McEwen, received her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and graduate degree from Wayne State University. Janae and her daughter Kalani currently reside in Detroit, Michigan.

Terry Sims

Terry Sims is in his first season on Alabama State football staff as the Director of Football Operations after joining the staff in February, 2023.

Sims spent six seasons as the head football coach of Bethune-Cookman University, where he was 34-21 as the head coach, with winning campaigns in four of his five years.

His 2018 team finished on a three-game winning streak. Post-season honors saw Defensive lineman Marques Ford earned First Team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors, joined by offensive lineman Dwayne Brown, defensive back Trevor Merritt, and return specialist Jimmie Robinson on the second and offensive center L'Dre Barnes and defensive back Tydarius Peters on the third.

In 2017, the Wildcats completed a "resurge" by winning their last four and six of their final seven games. BCU finished 6-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and was just a combined six points away in two road setbacks from an undefeated conference record. The 'Cats defeated rival Florida A&M for the seventh consecutive season, remained undefeated at North Carolina Central with a SportsCenter Top 10 win, and became the first MEAC program to win on the road against a Southland Conference opponent with a Sept. 11 victory at Southeastern Louisiana. The Wildcats put together a perfect 4-0 mark at home with victories over Savannah State, South Carolina State, Hampton, and Morgan State.

BCU saw eight different Wildcats earn postseason All-MEAC honors, including three First Team spots with safety Diquan Richardson, offensive lineman Dwayne Brown, and placekicker Uriel Hernandez.

Following the season, wide receiver Jawill Davis signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants Quarterback Larry Brihm and offensive lineman Phillip Norman signed with Calgary and British Columbia, respectively, of the Canadian Football League.

The Wildcats also performed well in the classroom as tight end Demetrius Weaver was one of two MEAC student-athletes to receive the 2018 Nike Post-Graduate Scholarship

His sophomore season of 2016 saw the Jesup, Georgia, native face difficulties that not even he could imagine. Injuries plagued the Wildcats, while weather forced three games to either be delayed significantly, canceled, or moved to another date altogether. Sims saw a total of 16 starters out of the rotation – all through the first five games of the campaign.

Despite all of those setbacks, Bethune-Cookman was able to bounce back to win four consecutive games down the stretch, including the Florida Blue Florida Classic contest in Orlando at the newly-renovated Camping World Stadium. The win over rival Florida A&M was the sixth of its kind consecutively. BCU concluded the season with a 4-6 overall mark but collected three of those wins away from Municipal Stadium for a 2-3 overall mark on the year – with one loss coming at FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) opponent North Texas.

Following the campaign, junior safety Diquan Richardson would be named to the All-MEAC First Team on the defensive side of the ball under the guise of Sims, while Kevin Thompson would be selected to the third team on defense. Frank Brown would be named to the second team on offense. And it was running back Jamaruz Thompkins on the third team for offense, rounding out four total Maroon and Gold student-athletes named to the postseason all-conference team.

In the winter of 2017, Sims and his staff signed one of the best classes in school history, including a number of star-ranked performers by various recruiting outlets nationally.

During his rookie season as a head coach in 2015, Sims continued the positive success enjoyed by Bethune-Cookman with the school's fourth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title. He led the Wildcats to a 9-2 record in his first season and a 7-1 mark, including a share of the MEAC title.

Sims, 45, has been a part of BCU's unprecedented run of five conference titles in six years, joining the staff in spring of 2010. While 2015 marked his first year as head coach of the Wildcats, it was his sixth season overall with the program.

Terry Sims was introduced as the 15th head coach at Bethune-Cookman University on December 22, 2014. He took over the program after spending the previous five years as an assistant coach for the Wildcats.

Under his guise in 2015, Sims was named MEAC Coach of the Year after matching South Carolina State (1980-83) for the second-longest streak in MEAC history with the run of four MEAC crowns on the spin.

The Wildcats were victorious over in-state rival Florida A&M, 35-14 in Sims' debut at the helm in the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic, securing their stake in the conference title. BCU led the MEAC in several statistical categories, including scoring offense (31.4 avg/g), total offense (445.0 avg/g), rushing offense (191.8 yds/g), pass offense (253.2 avg/g), and pass efficiency (164.1 efficiency). The Wildcats also held top 10 positions statistically in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) in passing yards per completion (6th) and team passing efficiency (3rd). BCU entered the STATS FCS Top 25 poll in the final ranking of the season (25th), slowly climbing the FCS Coaches Poll to reach 21st nationally following the last game of the regular season against FAMU.

Sims had a total of 10 student-athletes named to the All-MEAC first-, second and third team, respectfully. The list included quarterback Quentin Williams, receiver Jawill Davis, offensive lineman Dariusz Bladek, linebacker Robert Way and defensive back Marquis Drayton – all named first team selections.

The former Knoxville College student-athlete standout is recognized nationally by several collegiate and professional coaches as "a head coach that is just now getting his program", after being viewed as head coach material for quite some time – though continuing to serve as an assistant – prior to his announcement in winter of 2014. His football knowledge and defensive prowess are unparalleled and viewed by many as second to none. Since his arrival in Daytona Beach back in 2010, the Wildcats' defense has consistently ranked in the top 25 statistically in several categories.

In his five years prior to accepting the head coaching position with BCU, Sims served as assistant head coach. He oversaw a variety of the day-to-day duties of the BCU program, as well as working extensively with the safeties, and serving as special teams coordinator. He helped to coach a number of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) all-league performers, in addition to 2013 All-America safety Nick Addison.

In 2014, BCU once again captured no less than a share of the school's seventh MEAC crown all-time, as well as the fourth title in the last five seasons. Once again, the defensive side of the ball was a huge part of that success, as they finished in the top three of several categories in the league, as well as nationally.

The defensive unit finished atop the FCS for total defense and rush defense. The Cats allowed just 237.5 yards per game to their opposition, while also allowing just 79.9 yards per game on the ground. The team would go on to finish second in the FCS for first downs defense, and seventh nationally in passing yards allowed (157.6 p/g).

During the 2013 campaign, the BCU secondary once again caused havoc among opposing offenses around the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the nation alike. In all, 14 of the team's 19 interceptions were recorded by the secondary, including a team-high five by safety Nick Addison. The unit finished third in the MEAC for pass defense, allowing just 149.2 yards per game through the air. The Wildcats finished second in the league for interceptions, grabbing 19 and returning three for scores. That number allowed them to finish tied for fifth nationally for passes intercepted, and on the third-fewest passes attempted (326) among the top 20 teams for that category.

Addison would finish second in the league for interceptions while going on to receive First Team Associated Press All-America honors following the year. He also collected First Team All-MEAC accolades, in addition to being selected to the Beyond Sports Network and BoxToRow All-America squads. Marquis Drayton added two interceptions and three pass breakups, along with 47 tackles (23 primaries) on the year from his safety position.

Newcomers highlighted the special teams all-around for Sims' units, including punter/kicker Jonathan Cagle. He would be seventh in the league in kick scoring (55 pts) and punting (38.7 yards per punt). He placed eight in field goals with six made in seven attempts.

In the return game, Dre'Sean Nelson returned 17 kickoffs for an average of 15.4 yards per return, and freshman Darian Baker returned 12 for a team-leading 21.9 yards per return. Fellow freshman Michael D. Jones also helped in kickoff returns, adding to the youth at that position, but all increasing awareness and skill throughout the year.

In 2012, the Wildcats stood as the third-best team in the nation for passes intercepted, bringing down 20 on the campaign. They also improved a spot from 12th in passing defense in 2011, up to 11th in 2012. The Cats' 20 interceptions also ranked as the most for any team sitting in the top 25 for passing defense overall. In passing efficiency defense, the Wildcats were second in the nation, sitting just .37 behind frontrunner North Carolina A&T. For scoring defense, Bethune-Cookman not only finished second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), but also 10th in the nation.

In capturing their second MEAC crown in three years, the Wildcats' defense helped limit the opposition all season long in 2012. As a unit, the Cats finished second in scoring defense in the league, in addition to third in total defense. Since his arrival, the BCU defense has finished no lower than fourth in the league in those categories.

In takeaways, the BCU defense sat atop the league with +18 in turnover margin. That comes on the heels of the team finishing atop the league in red zone defense. That was up a space from 2011 when they finished the season second in the conference.

During the 2011 campaign, the Wildcats improved nationally to 14th in the NCAA FCS in pass defense, holding opponents to just 174.5 yards passing per game. Safety Jean Fanor collected three picks and 74 tackles in 2011, going on to join the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent.

Sims aided Bethune-Cookman in reaching fourth in the final NCAA FCS rankings for pass efficiency defense (93.97) in 2010, in addition to ranking 25th nationally in pass defense (174.92 YPG). His defensive backs combined for 13 interceptions, making a big contribution to BCU's number one ranking in the NCAA for turnover margin (+2.25). On his watch, safety Michael Williams snagged six picks to finish fourth in the FCS on the year for interceptions.

Before arriving in Daytona Beach, Sims spent four seasons in the Nation's Capital of Washington, D.C., serving as recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Howard University. Prior to moving into the MEAC, Sims coached cornerbacks at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for two seasons, working to improve passing coverage, and aiding the Ragin' Cajuns in attaining top-25 national pass defense rankings.

An experienced coach with ties to Texas and the Mid-Atlantic region, Sims previously served in the secondary at Prairie View A&M. While working with the Panthers, Sims coached the defensive backs, in addition, to kick returners. He was also in charge of breaking down film and preparing opponent scouting reports. Additionally, he was active in the planning of recruiting weekends and organizing on-and-off-campus recruiting, while serving the role of academic and compliance liaison.

Prior to joining the PVAMU staff in 2004, Sims was the defensive backs coach at Texas Southern University in Houston, also serving as the assistant head coach for three seasons and was recruiting and video coordinator.

During his four-year term with the Tigers, Sims coached some of the top defensive backs in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, including Santino Hall, who finished the 2001 season leading the conference in pass breakups with 20, and Oliver Celestin, who led TSU in interceptions and broke the school record for yards on an interception return. Both players went on to play professionally (Celestine: NY Jets, Hall: Saskatchewan Roughriders).

Before coaching at TSU, Sims worked with the running backs at Austin Peay for three seasons. He produced the 1997 Offensive MVP, Chris Black, and DeAunta McAffee, who tied the school touchdown record.

Sims began his coaching career as a student assistant in 1994, working with the linebackers at his alma mater, Knoxville College. His next stop was at the University of Louisville, where he assisted the defensive backs as a graduate assistant in 1995 and had the opportunity to work with Sam Madison, who set the school record for interceptions (16) and passes defended (44), going on to be a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the Miami Dolphins and tie the NFL interception record (21).

Sims is a 1994 graduate of Knoxville College, where he was a team captain as a defensive back on the gridiron, while also patrolling center field in baseball.

He earned his Master's Degree from Louisville in 1997. Sims is married to Joyce. The couple has two children: a daughter Sierra, and a son Xavier.

Tony Hull

Hull joins the Golden Lions after spending one season as Grambling St. co-offensive Coordinator, Passing Game Coordinator, and Quarterbacks Coach. He played a key role in Grambling St. offense turnaround.

Last season, Hull's offense was explosive, ranking 3rd in the SWAC Conference in total offense, averaging 28.7 points per game. 1st Yards per game (407.8), 1st Rushing Yards per game (184.8), 1st Points Scored (60), 1st Individual Receiving TD's (5), 2nd Individual Rushing TD's (5), 2nd Passing Yards (1,106), 2nd Passing TD's (10), and 2nd Individual Rushing Yards (437).

Hull played a significant role in Javon Robinson being named SWAC Freshman of the Year in 2023.

Hull served as the running backs coach under head coach Terry Bowden at Louisiana-Monroe before joining Grambling St. Upon his arrival at ULM in 2021, he began as the outside receivers coach for the War Hawks.

Prior to joining the staff at ULM, he served four years as the associate head coach and running backs coach at Kansas (2016-19) and as the co-offensive coordinator and inside receivers coach at Hawai'i in 2020. From New Orleans, Louisiana, Hull coached Pooka Williams Jr., now with the Cincinnati Bengals, to consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2018 and 2019, a feat accomplished only once before in Kansas football history.

Under Hull's guidance, KU running back Khalil Herbert, drafted in 2021 by the Chicago Bears, exploded for a 291-yard rushing game against West Virginia – the third-best single-game rushing performance in Jayhawk history and third-best in the NCAA in 2017.

Hull joined the collegiate coaching ranks after a distinguished coaching career in the Louisiana high school ranks. In nine seasons as the head coach and offensive coordinator of Warren Easton High School in New Orleans, Hull led the stagnant program into a contender. He arrived at Warren Easton in 2007, the school's first season playing football following Hurricane Katrina, and guided the Eagles to playoffs in seven of his nine seasons. His resume included a state championship game appearance in 2014 and a state semifinals showing in 2015.

Hull developed the Eagles' players on the field as he mentored 45 players who went on to earn Division I football scholarships. Six of those players earned a nod in ESPN's Top-300 lists, while one of his athletes was named the 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Louisiana Football.

Hull, who taught math and physical education, was an important member of the Eagles' faculty as he saw his WEHS football players achieve a 100-percent graduation rate. Additionally, he implemented a character development sector that saw his players assisting inner-city youth with off-the-field development.

Prior to his time at Warren Easton, Hull spent the 2005 season as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at his alma mater, Sarah T. Reed High School in New Orleans. He served in the same capacity at Mandeville (La.) High School in 2006.

Hull was a two-year starter on the offensive line at UL Lafayette, earning a bachelor's degree in industrial technology in 2004. Following graduation, Hull spent four years working in the engineering field, including three years at NASA.

Tremaine Jackson

Discipline. Obedience. Grit.

Three words Valdosta State University Head Football Coach Tremaine Jackson lives by that have become fundamentals of his coaching philosophy.

Jackson, in his second season leading the Blazers, is known for raising the bar both on and off the field and has quickly made an impact on the total program in Titletown. The 2022 squad ranked in the top 15 nationally in eight different statistical categories including sacks allowed (2^nd – 0.27), total offense (5^th – 475.6), red zone offense (6^th – 0.918), tackles for loss allowed (9^th – 3.91), turnovers lost (11^th – 12), scoring offense (12^th – 36.6), passes had intercepted (13^th – 6) and passing yards per completion (15^th – 14.71) and was the only program in Division II to rank in the top 25 in both total rushing (16^th – 213.5) and total passing (21^st – 262.2).

In the classroom, the team earned a combined 2.84 grade point average, the highest in program history, which included 54 student-athletes with a 3.0-or-better GPA, 19 over a 3.5 GPA and four with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

The Blazers were also active in the community throughout the 2022-23 season, accumulating over 1,100 hours of service in Valdosta, assisting with Earth Day Road Cleanup, Habitat for Humanity, Blazer Kids’ Day, Jacobs Ladder Therapeutic Riding Center and the #ValdostaMiracles Softball Game.

Jackson, who was named by ESPN as one of 45 minority coaches under 45 to watch and to FootballScoop’s 2022 Minority Watch List, was selected to participate in the NFL’s Bill Walsh Minority Fellowship, spending a week in June with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023.

Prior to taking over in Valdosta, Jackson spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons leading the Colorado Mesa Mavericks. During his tenure in Grand Junction, Jackson went 10-3 in his two seasons, including an 8-2 mark in 2021, highlighted by a thrilling 26-21 victory over then-No. 3-ranked Colorado School of Mines. It was the Mavericks’ first victory over a top-5 opponent since becoming an NCAA Division II school in 1994. Jackson’s squad went 2-1 in the spring of 2021 during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Statistically, the Mavericks finished 13^th nationally in scoring defense in 2021, allowing just 15.6 points per game, while the team was 34^th nationally in scoring offense at 33.7 points per game. CMU finished in the top 20 nationally in both total defense (10^th – 258.2 ypg) and total offense (16^th – 452.0 ypg). Jackson coached two Academic All-Americans and one AFCA Second Team All-America honoree, along with 21 All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) performers, including RMAC Offensive Freshman of the Year in Karst Hunter.

Prior to Colorado Mesa, Jackson was the defensive line coach at Texas State and before that served as defensive coordinator at Abilene Christian (2017-18). He also spent time as assistant head coach at the University of Sioux Falls, helping lead the Cougars to a combined 32-5 record in four seasons. During his time in South Dakota, Jackson assisted in guiding the team to a 2016 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship and postseason appearances in all three years after being promoted to the Cougars' defensive coordinator (2014-16). He began at USF as defensive line coach in 2013.

The Cougars went 12-1 in 2016 as they won their first-ever NCAA playoff game and finished No. 5 in the national poll. Jackson guided 11 defensive players to All-NSIC honors while his unit led the conference in four defensive categories.

In 2015, USF went 9-3 and earned the program's first Division II playoff berth to go along with a No. 21 national ranking following an 11-1 season in 2014 and No. 18 final national ranking.

Promoted to the role of assistant head coach after those two seasons, Jackson coached seven defensive players to All-NSIC honors and a back-to-back AFCA First Team All-America defensive back in Solomon St. Pierre in both 2014 and 2015.

At Abilene Christian, Jackson led one of the biggest defensive turnarounds in the country as the Wildcats recorded their first winning season in their Division I history in 2018 (6-5). Ranking last in the country prior to his arrival, Jackson's defensive unit entered the nation's top 25 in five different team categories in 2018 after leading the Southland Conference in pass defense in 2017.

Earlier in his professional career, Jackson had stops at Evangel University, Texas Southern and Trinity Valley Community College after beginning his coaching career at Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2006 as the Javelinas' defensive line coach. He also completed NFL internships with the Houston Texans and San Diego Chargers.

At Texas Southern, where he served from 2008-11, Jackson helped the Tigers win a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title in 2010 as the program led the country (FCS) in total defense, sacks and tackles for loss. They also led the country in total defense in 2011 in his lone season as the Tigers' defensive coordinator.

Jackson, Vice President of the Minority Coaches Advancement Association, has served on several AFCA committees and was recipient of the 2022 Harry Butler Community Service Award for dedicated community service and outstanding volunteerism.

A former student-athlete, Jackson played on the defensive line at Texas Southern for two years after transferring from the University of Louisiana-Monroe. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Houston, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies.

The Houston, Texas native has one daughter, Harmony.

Willie Simmons

Willie Simmons joined the Blue Devil gridiron program in January 2024, and serves as an assistant coach, working primarily with the Duke running backs.

Simmons previously worked with Diaz on staff at the Middle Tennessee State University where the pair spent three seasons (2007-09) together with Simmons as the running backs coach and Diaz as the defensive coordinator.

Simmons comes to Durham after a six-year stint (2018-23) as the head coach at Florida A&M University. While in Tallahassee, Simmons helped the Rattlers to a 45-13 (.776) overall record and a 34-5 (.872) mark in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play. Under Simmons’ guidance, FAMU registered four-straight nine-win seasons, including a 12-1 overall ledger and undefeated season in SWAC action last season. Additionally, Simmons led the Rattlers to two HBCU National Championships (2019 & 2023) and their first SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl title in 2023.

Simmons received consecutive AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year honors (2022 & 2023) and was tabbed the 2023 SWAC Coach of the Year. The Rattlers finished with four-straight top-25 rankings, including last season when they posted a No. 5 rank in the final FCS poll, to register their highest national ranking since 1998 and their first ten-win season since 1999.

During his tenure, Simmons mentored numerous players to All-MEAC and All-SWAC honors, including quarterback Ryan Stanley, who finished his career at FAMU as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (8,424), pass attempts (1,187), pass completions (636) and passing touchdowns (67). Additionally, Stanley graduated second all-time in MEAC history for passing yards and pass completions and was named the 2019 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally under Simmons, linebacker Isaiah Land earned the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award Winner, which is given annually to the FCS National Defensive Player of the Year. Land, the 2021 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, led the nation in sacks (19) and tackles for loss (25.5) en route to an All-America caliber season. He later signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in May 2023.

Last season alone, Simmons guided four players to All-America nods, including the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year in linebacker Isaiah Major. The Oklahoma City, Okla., native finished last season with a team-best 106 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss, while also adding two sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups, five quarterback pressures, one fumble recovery, and a pick-six. On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Jeremy Moussa was selected the 2023 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year after completing 214-of-371 pass attempts (.577) for 2,893 yards with 22 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.

In 2023, the Rattlers ranked in the top-20 nationally in 17 categories – first in pass efficiency defense (102. 48), second in third down defense (.282) and total defense (260.80), third in scoring defense (15.2) and tackles for loss (7.8), fourth in defensive touchdowns (4), passes intercepted (17) and rushing defense (94.0), eighth in passing yards allowed (166.80), ninth in red zone defense (.714), 10th in turnovers gained (24) and sacks (2.85), 12th in first down offense (265), 16th in punt returns (14.04) 18th in time of possession (31:49), 19th in passing yards per completion (13.49) and 20th in sacks allowed (1.31). Additionally, FAMU ended the year with 11 consecutive wins, including a 35-14 victory over Prairie View A&M University in the SWAC Championship and a 30-26 win over Howard University in Celebration Bowl.

Prior to his tenure at Florida A&M, Simmons spent three seasons (2015-17) as the head coach at Prairie View A&M where he compiled a 21-11 overall record (.656) and a 19-6 mark (.760) in SWAC play. He held a winning record in each of these three seasons, making him the first Panthers head coach in over 55 years to achieve the feat. Under Simmons, the Panthers scored 30-plus points on 23-of-32 occasions, including nine times in 2015 when the Panthers were the highest-scoring FCS team in the nation, averaging 44.9 points per game.

During his three seasons, Prairie View A&M finished ranked in the top-40 in the FCS nationally in passing offense, scoring offense, and tackles for loss. Additionally, the Panthers posted top-30 finishes in two of his three seasons in total offense and sacks.

Simmons joined the Panthers after spending three years (2012-14) as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Alcorn State University, where he helped the Braves win the 2014 SWAC title and the HBCU National Championship. During his final two seasons, Simmons helped Alcorn State finish in the top-20 nationally in scoring offense, including a 44.0 mark in 2014, which ranked second in the country.

While in Lorman, Miss., quarterback John Gibbs Jr., was named 2014 SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year while breaking several long-standing records held by Steve “Air” McNair. He became the first SWAC player to throw for over 2,500 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season after compiling 2,482 and 1,006 yards, respectively. In addition to Gibbs’ accolades that season, the Braves had four players rush for 690-plus yards, while the wide receivers corps featured four players with 22-plus receptions.

In his second year at Alcorn State in 2013, the Braves finished with a 9-3 record to mark their first winning season since 2006 and first nine-win campaign since 1984. Under Simmons guidance, running back Arold Walker also garnered SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors after leading the team and the conference in rushing touchdowns (16), rushing yards (1,191) and rushing yards per game (99.2). He ranked No. 11 nationally in rushing scores and 18th in rushing yards. Walker also finished his career as Alcorn State’s all-time leading rusher with 2,806 yards during his tenure.

From 2007-2011, Simmons served five years on staff at Middle Tennessee State in a variety of different roles. He began his tenure with the Blue Raiders as the running backs coach from 2007-09 before being promoted to the pass game coordinator and running backs coach in 2010. He spent his final season in 2011 as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach.

During his lone season as offensive coordinator, the Blue Raiders offense ranked 45th nationally in FBS with a mark of 401.08 yards per game. Simmons’ offense led the Sun Belt in total offense, rushing offense (146.75) and third down conversion percentage (.401).

In 2010, Simmons coached the three-headed backfield of Phillip Tanner, Benny Cunningham, and D.D. Kyles which helped the Blue Raiders produce one of the top rushing attacks in the country while combining for 21 touchdowns. All three averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry, and Tanner garnered all-conference honors. Additionally, Cunningham went on to earn 2012 All-Sun Belt Conference honors before signing as an undrafted free agent with the NFL’s St. Louis Rams in May 2013. He later went on to have a six-year professional career with the Rams and Chicago Bears where he posted 191 rushes for 797 yards with four touchdowns and recorded 114 receptions for 1,001 yards with three scores.

During his stretch from 2007-09, Simmons helped the Blue Red Raiders make two consecutive postseason bowl appearances for the first time in school history (2008 & 2009) and set an MTSU FBS-record with 10 wins in 2009. Additionally, MTSU’s rushing offense ranked in the top-2 in the conference in 2009 and 2010.

Simmons joined MTSU after a one-year stint on Tommy Bowden’s staff at Clemson University, where he was a graduate assistant working with the offense. The Tigers finished the year with an 8-5 overall ledger, a 5-3 record in the ACC and an appearance in the 2006 Music City Bowl against Kentucky. Simmons had a hand in the development of running back C.J. Spiller was tabbed a Freshman All-American in 2006 after finishing with 129 carries for 938 yards with 10 touchdowns.

Simmons got his coaching start at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla., where he served as the pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the 2005 season.

Simmons was a three-year letterwinner (2000-01-02) at quarterback at Clemson, where he passed for 2,530 yards and 16 touchdowns in 24 games. As a freshman, Simmons came off the bench for a hurt Woodrow Dantzler and threw for 228 yards and a record-tying four touchdowns in Clemson’s 38-24 win at North Carolina to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors. Simmons played two years as a backup to Dantzler before becoming the starter in 2002. Simmons graduated ranked in the top-12 in Clemson history in passing yardage, passing efficiency, completion percentage, interception avoidance.

Following three years at Clemson in which he participated in four postseason bowl games (1999 Peach, 2000 Gator, 2001 Humanitarian, and 2002 Tangerine bowls), Simmons transferred to the Citadel in 2003 and earned First Team All-Southern Conference honors. He led the Bulldogs to their first winning season in six years and only the third in the previous 10 seasons.

After his collegiate playing career, Simmons played professionally for one season (2005) with the Sioux City Bandits, where he was the only player in the United Indoor Football League to account for at least one passing, rushing, receiving, and returning touchdown.

A native of Quincy, Fla., Simmons graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports marketing from Clemson in 2002. At the time, Simmons was the fastest football player to graduate at Clemson, accomplishing the milestone in three years.

Simmons is married to the former Shaia Beckwith, of Quincy, Fla., and they are the parents of sons Louis III and Wraylon and daughters Amerie, Raven, Shailoh, and Truth.