southern utah university football coaches southern utah university football coaches

UNLV wide receiver Steve Jenkins runs after a catch during game against San Diego State, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Las Vegas. Needing to plug multiple gaps along the line has left spots open for competition. The move comes as SUU is just 1-10 this season, including 0-8 in Big Sky Conference play. SUU averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on the ground. "The Southern Utah Football coaching staff couldn't be more excited about this year's signing day class," Fitzgerald said. Coach Tapasa played college football at Portland State and graduated with a bachelor's degree in pre-law before going on to receive his master's degree in health education from Western Oregon in 2006. I'm excited to build a great college football program with them.". The Thunderbirds are one of five new teams being added to the WAC, which will have 13 teams after the expansion. Now what weve got to do is find the other five or six pieces on each side of the football. Peterson served as an offensive quality control assistant at Texas from 2010-12, and served as the team's interim running backs coach in the 2012 Alamo Bowl. [7] The AWC folded after the 1995 season, and the Thunderbirds were 9231 (.288) overall in those three years. Smith worked with a receiving corps which was a part of the 11th ranked passing offense in the FCS averaging 294.2 yards per game. Rosser played his college football at James Madison from 2000-01 and earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from JMU in 2003. Fitzgerald spoke of the multiplicity of offensive tactics he likes to employ, which he said will typically evolve depending on the players. All rights reserved. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Athletic Director: Football Coaching Staff Will Brunson Tight Ends Aaron Fernandez Offensive Line DeLane Fitzgerald Head Coach Ryan Hunt Interior Defensive Line John Kelling Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Shawn Magginson Defensive Ends Shay McClure Linebackers Brady Measom Wide Receivers Blair Peterson Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Southern Utah quarterback Justin Miller throws a pass during game against Arizona State on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. Miller was one of the few bright spots on a Thunderbird team that finished the 2021 season with a 1-10 record. Defensive Graduate Assistant. Rancho Cucamonga, California / Alta Loma HS. Corum, along with SUU Interim President Mindy Benson, Senior Associate Athletic Director Jeff Tukuafu and the rest of the hiring committee, and said hes looking forward to getting started right away on the process of building his staff by hiring coordinators and assistant coaches. He led the Knights to the state championship game where they defeated Utah powerhouse Corner Canyon, 49-42. Moore had four touchdowns on 48 carries, while Duckett had 179 yards on 54 touches. For all the latest on Southern Utah football, follow @SUUFB_ on Twitter, @SUUFB on Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Football Facebook page. CEDAR CITY, Utah Southern Utah University Director of Athletics Debbie Corum announced Monday that the university and head football coach Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways. Each one of today's signees brings a physical skill set and a mentality that our coaching staff is looking for. Like Magginson, Brunson comes to Southern Utah by way of Frostburg State as both a player and coach. Williams led the Thunderbirds averaging 6.2 yards per carry. The next time Southern Utah football takes the field at Eccles Coliseum, it will do so as a member of the Western Athletic Conference with the school set to join the new league in July of 2022. "Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years," Corum said. Magginson was a four-year player for the Bobcat football team and appeared in all 13 games and made two starts as a senior. Sophomore running back Isaiah Williams ran the ball 32 times last season for 206 yards and scored four touchdowns, but looks to be the lead back now. High school girls golf: Week 8 region recap from some 6A, 5A, 4A and 3A regions. Always putting the program ahead of his own desires, he has made a decision that it is time to step aside and make room for another coach to lead the team, and I support him in this decision. Fitzgerald also said he plans to focus on the 15, meaning the Interstate 15 corridor that bisects Utah, as the starting geographic basis for the teams recruitment efforts. With a new coaching staff working to establish a winning culture, veteran players are expected to lead by example. Fitzgerald thanked Corum, along with SUU Interim President Mindy Benson, Senior Associate Athletic Director Jeff Tukuafu and the rest of the hiring committee, and said hes looking forward to getting started right away on the process of building his staff by hiring coordinators and assistant coaches. Griffiths prepped just down the road from SUU at Crimson Cliffs High School in Washington, Utah. A native of Virginia, Fitzgerald played college football for James Madison University then started working as an assistant coach in 2000. Williams added another four scores on just 32 attempts for 206 yards. Like other coaches on the staff, Rosser follows Fitzgerald from Frostburg State to Southern Utah after serving as the Bobcats' cornerbacks coach for two seasons. 4 Year Degree. Southern Utah Football @SUUFB_ Jan 11 Introducing your SUU football coaching staff Hit the link to see which new coaches will be leading our Thunderbirds in 2022 suutbirds.com/news/2022/1/11 # StormTheSky 3 replies 23 retweets 157 likes Tyler Smith Retweeted Nick Lober @LoberNick Jan 11 SUU football enters the 2022 season coming off a disappointing year that saw the Thunderbirds finish 1-10 in 2021. The Thunderbird football program got longer, stronger and faster today.". SUU joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), already home to regional rival Utah Tech, in 2022. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. As for the rest of the roster, very few notable players are returning. Following a successful career as a member of the Thunderbird football team, Measom joined the coaching staff at SUU in January of 2017 as a graduate assistant and worked his way into the position of director of operations before being named wide receivers coach. 2023 www.thespectrum.com. The signees were: Elijah Burns / RB / 5-11 / 205 / William & Mary, Brandon Dillard / OL / 6-4 / 260 / Frostburg State, Micah Pettit / K / 6-1 / 175 / Lafayette College, Mitchell Price / DB / 6-0 / 195 / Brigham Young, Jackson Rigby / TE / 6-4 / 230 / Utah State, Grady Robison / QB / 6-1 / 195 / Western Kentucky, Zach Strand / DL / 5-10 / 250 / Frostburg State. All Rights Reserved, In a new league with a new coach, SUU embracing fresh start. If we line up and we are competitive and we play well, well win our fair share of games. Bemiy totaled 48 total tackles in 2021 and paced SUU in sacks (4) and TFLs (12.5). Assistant Wide Receivers Coach. Sanderswas a First Team All-Region performer for the Wasps at wide receiver. Story by: Christian Esparza Not just out at practice and in the weight room, but with everything. He also said he plans to actively recruit top athletes from Arizona, Nevada and Southern California. At the beginning of his remarks, Fitzgerald joked how his luggage hadnt arrived in time, due to a flight cancellation. The Thunderbirds will begin their 11-game 2022 season at home against St. Thomas before facing a tall task against Utah in Salt Lake City. 16 Utah softball gets good measuring stick in series against No. BYU transfer Mitchell Price should have a big impact on the secondary for Fitzgerald. "These 23 young men are the foundation on which we are going to build a great FCS football program. DConti@huntsman.utah.edu: Jeff Rudy: Associate A.D. for Football Administration 801-581-8563 801-581-8563: jrudy@huntsman.utah.edu: Adam Fry: Director of Football Operations afry@huntsman.utah.edu: Doug Elisaia: Director of Strength and Conditioning for Football 801-581-4548 801-581-4548: delisaia@huntsman.utah.edu: Robert Blechen Joseph McWilliams. Before working with the Pirates, Bates was the head strength and conditioning coach at Jacksonville University for nine and a half years. All rights reserved. We have four or five good players on each side of the ball. Ashby projects to play wide receiver for the Thunderbirds. We go into games trying to block a punt and trying to return a punt for a touchdown, he said, calling such plays the quickest way to win a football game., We will be exciting, he added. All Rights Reserved, This Utah college football team is now looking for a new head coach. The Thunderbirds, however, get a fresh start in 2022 when a new era begins under recently hired head coach DeLane Fitzgerald in the schools first season in the Western Athletic Conference. Francis Bemiy is on every teams radar for the 2023 draft, said Fitzgerald. The thing with him and Zach Strand is theyve always won. Kelling started his coaching career at his alma mater, Minnesota State Mankato, from 1992-95, and spent the following two seasons at Augustana College in South Dakota. The American Samoa native also spent time coaching at Western Oregon, Eastern Oregon and Humboldt State. While playing for the Thunderbirds, Hunt started 33 straight games from his sophomore to senior seasons, never missing a game during his career. One of those positives is UNLV transfer Steve Jenkins at wide receiver. CEDAR CITY, Utah Southern Utah University head football coach DeLane Fitzgerald has announced his coaching staff for the upcoming season. He was a two-time letter winner playing college football at both Grand Rapids Community College and Wayne State University. "Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years," Corumsaid. Our recruiting class is the sleeper group in the country, he said. Southern Utah University coaches and sports staff members surround new SUU athletic director Doug Knuth after news conference announcing his hiring, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards . More:Demario Warren out as Southern Utah head football coach after six seasons. The program has been in steady decline over the past few years under Warren in terms of on-field results. Tapasa will start his seventh season at SUU in 2022. John Kelling- Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach. Warren leaves SUU with an overall record of 21-42, and led the T-Birds to a Big Sky Conference championshipin2017 during his tenure as head coach. 11/15/2021 9:23:00 AM. Coach Fernandez also served as the team's recruiting coordinator for 5 years. Offensively, starting quarterback Justin Miller is returning alongside his leading receivers Ethan Bolingbroke and Brandon Schenks. SUU is a caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences . The Pac-12 and SEC commissioners will be bringing NIL issues to lawmakers, High school girls golf: 3A region recaps, Richfield, Morgan, Union and Judge Memorial claim region titles, High school boys soccer: 3A/2A second round recap from Wednesdays games, It reportedly wont be long until the Mountain West Conference eliminates divisions, Change may be on the way for the transfer portal and college football recruiting. Our players have a better understanding of the offense, defense, and special teams (schemes). Fitzgeralds confidence doesnt stop with his defense and offense, however, believing he has a great group of specialists going into the season as well. He was named First Team All-State by the Deseret News as well as First Team All-Region. Kelling joins the Southern Utah staff after serving as head coach at Lock Haven University since January of 2020. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. The defensive end led the team with four sacks and added 48 tackles last season. The WAC already includes two other Utah teams, namely Dixie State University and Utah Valley University. The roster itself is seeing a lot of fluctuation as well with old faces entering the transfer portal and a lot of new players coming in. Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics, SUU students protest HB0011 in support of transgender athletes, SPB ends Sunfest week with Most Fun Friday, Art Challis: The voice of the Thunderbirds, Raising the bar: The legacy of SUU Gymnastics, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnR7Qpa9dTk&ab_channel=SUTV-9News. Southern Utah University football helmet, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News . Bates joins Southern Utah after serving one season as the strength and conditioning coach for Hampton University. Anything we do, were going to finish what we start accountability, punctuality, discipline, all those things are really important to me.. CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah University head football coach DeLane Fitzgerald has announced his coaching staff for the upcoming season. Brunson played quarterback for the Bobcats in 2019, throwing for 2,067 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding three more touchdowns on the ground. BYU wide receiver Kody Epps is reportedly heading to the transfer portal, No. Director of Football Operations / Player Personnel. The junior running back brings physicality and size to the backfield at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds. (He) played for us last year at Frostburg and had 20 or 30 tackles as a true freshman, Fitzgerald said. Theyre going to be very, very good in four or five years.. Prior to his time at Wise, Rosser was a defensive quality control coach at James Madison, where he helped the Dukes to a CAA Championship and FCS playoff appearance. The T-Birds went 1-10 and 0-8 in Big Sky play in 2021. Southern Utah University Aug 31 // football Arizona State University Sep 09 // football Brigham Young University Sep 16 // football UC Davis Sep 23 // football Western Illinois University Sep 30 // football University of Central Arkansas Oct 07 // football Tarleton State University Oct 21 // football Austin Peay State University Oct 28 // football TicketSmarter: Official Ticket Resale Partner, George S. Eccles Sports Performance Center, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital, Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations/COO, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Events, Deputy Athletic Director for Finance & Administration, Senior Associate AD for Revenue Generation, Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Communications (FB, GYM, SB), Director of Athletic Academic Performance, Orthopedic Surgery- Intermountain Healthcare, Assistant Director of Communications (SOC, MBB, M/WGOLF), General Manager-Van Wagner College-Southern Utah University Athletics, Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks Coach, Running Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Linebackers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator, Interior Defensive Line Coach/Director of Football Operations, Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning, Assistant Coach (Multis, Hurdles, Pole Vault). Bemiy, alongside Frostburg State transfer Zach Strand, should be two difference-makers along the defensive line. After one season with the Lobos, he transferred to Towson where he played quarterback from 2008-09. What theyve done in the past does not affect them now. 0:24 Southern Utah University football has announced the hiring of former Dixie State head coach Shay McClure as the team's linebackers coach. Focus and consistency, if he can get those two down, hes going to be fine.. With a history dating back to 1963, SUU currently competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision [2] as a member of the United Athletic Conference . The program will enter the WAC next season. All rights reserved. After playing on the varsity squad for four seasons, Lynch was honored as both the Offensive MVP and Team MVP. Thunderbirds. Were going to show up on time. Theyve been winners in college and now theyre graduate transfers, so they bring some much-needed leadership.. Starting under center for the Thunderbirds is Justin Miller, whose 2,416 passing yards were one of the few bright spots in a tough 2021 season. He graduated from SUU with a master's of accountancy in 2018. In December 2022, he was named as the head football coach at the University of Northern Colorado. The Thunderbirds new coach is confident that he and his staff can make thenecessary changes to turn things around. New head coach DeLane Fitzgerald addresses his team following Wednesday's practice. "I am happy with the way our coaching staff came together," Fitzgerald said. Peterson is originally from San Antonio, Texas, and is joined in Cedar City by his wife, Camille, and daughter, Brooklyn. [12] After the 2022 season, the WAC fully merged its football league with that of the ASUN Conference, creating what eventually became the United Athletic Conference, and SUU accordingly moved its football team to the new league.[13][14]. And this man did.. He led a Southern Virginia team to its second-ever winning season in 2013 with an 8-2 record. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. The 2021 running back position was a revolving door for Southern Utah. The new faces for the Thunderbirds are Tye Hiatt, Ryan Payne, and Brandon Perkins. Fitzgerald is also high on the groundwork he and his staff have laid with the incoming freshmen. Also showing flashes at left guard is redshirt junior Artese Gregory. Spring practices have been without the top two receiving targets, Ethan Bolingbroke and Brandon Schenks, who are both recovering from injuries. Coming off a 1-10 season and led by an overhauled coaching staff, foundational pieces for the rebuild may be starting to take shape. No stranger to the state of Utah, Peterson comes to Southern Utah by way of Brigham Young University where he has worked with quarterbacks as an offensive analyst since 2019. The intersquad scrimmage is set for Saturday, April 16, at 1 p.m and is free to the public. Bates went to Jacksonville after a two-year stint at Marshall University. [9], In November 2010, Southern Utah announced its admission to the Big Sky Conference, effective in 2012. SUU's newest signing class includes 12 signees from the state of Utah, four from California, three from Maryland, two from Virginia and one from Washington and Pennsylvania. [4] After 1985, Southern Utah moved up to NCAA Division II and joined the Western Football Conference (WFC).