We asked each of our five candidates to take 90 minutes and tell us what they would do with the program, Corum said, referring to the final group of applicants. BYU transfer Mitchell Price should have a big impact on the secondary for Fitzgerald. 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 Redshirt sophomore Aubrey Nellems notched 48 tackles as well and looks to see an increased role as the most experienced returning linebacker. Theyre going to be very, very good in four or five years.. Since then, Tapasa has transitioned into a role as assistant coach overseeing the linebackers for Southern Utah. "These 23 young men are the foundation on which we are going to build a great FCS football program. A 62-0 loss at the hands of Weber State was the final blow for head coach Demario Warren. In Wednesday's practice, redshirt senior cornerback JT Thomas made a nice play on a deflected pass for an interception in 11 on 11 drills. The Southern Utah University football team is a team in transition. 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. He was named First Team All-District on both offense and special teams during high school. Fitzgerald spoke of the multiplicity of offensive tactics he likes to employ, which he said will typically evolve depending on the players. Ashby projects to play wide receiver for the Thunderbirds. [2] Lamb served as the head football coach at Southern Utah University (SUU) from 2007 to 2015. Joining Fitzgerald from Frostburg State, Magginson will work as the defensive ends coach at SUU. Southern Utah University 0:03 0:24 DeLane Fitzgerald announced his first signing class as head football coach at Southern Utah University on Wednesday, as the Thunderbirds inked 23. Andrew Bates- Strength & Conditioning Coach. Tosh Wright and Jordan Jefferson each could add to the revamped backfield. "That's our deepest group right there in terms of talent, Fitzgerald said. All rights reserved. Southern Utah University College Football Sports In a new league with a new coach, SUU embracing fresh start After successful run as Frostburg State, coach DeLane Fitzgerald arrives in Cedar City with high expectations and with a number of his former players By Tom Ripplinger Sept 1, 2022, 9:00am PDT SHARE In his three years with the Cougars, Price only tallied five total tackles, but the Pleasant Grove native will be a key fixture with plenty of young faces in the Thunderbird secondary. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. During his prep career, Purcell was an All-State Honorable Mention and two-time First Team All-Region selection. Were much than we were two and a half weeks ago,Fitzgerald said on Wednesday, during which the team held a spring practice on campus. Demario has laid a strong foundation and we will begin work immediately to find the right person to continue building a successful program as we enter the Western Athletic Conference.". Before joining the Thunderbird coaching staff, Tapasa served as defensive line coach at Sacramento State. He was named First Team All-State by the Deseret News as well as First Team All-Region. The only thing thats going to stop Isaiah Williams is Isaiah Williams, Fitzgerald said. They were an independent for eight years,[8] then became a charter conference member again in 2004 with the Great West Conference (GWC). USACollegiate football commissioner Mark Brady, far left, and co-founder Dave Arslanian, far right, at a press conference, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News In addition to his degree from MSU Mankato, he holds a master's degree in recreation and sports science from Ohio University. It marked the fourth-straight losing season for the school and the second time in as many seasons that it finished with just one win. Hatitio will look to help bolster the SUU offensive line after a successful high school career at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper. SUU football enters the 2022 season coming off a disappointing year that saw the Thunderbirds finish 1-10 in 2021. Were going to show up on time. Thanks to the departure of Kobe Singleton, Fitzgerald will need to find another lockdown corner. The school announced Monday that SUU and Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways after six seasons. 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. He was also a dedicated student in the classroom, earning Academic All-Region honors. Griffiths prepped just down the road from SUU at Crimson Cliffs High School in Washington, Utah. Weve revamped our roster, he said. The hiring of Fitzgerald has brought a mass exodus of many familiar faces from last years team, leaving Fitzgerald building through his incoming freshman class and transfer portal. [7] The AWC folded after the 1995 season, and the Thunderbirds were 9231 (.288) overall in those three years. As NFL Draft hopeful Braxton Jones continues to prepare for his professional career, Southern Utah must find a new blindside protector for whoever takes snaps under center. The program will enter the WAC next season. 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 I know you guys are coming off a 1-10 season. TicketSmarter: Official Ticket Resale Partner, George S. Eccles Sports Performance Center, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital, 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. Halewas named Second Team All-Trinity League for his work on the field and Scholar Athlete of the Year in the classroom with a 4.29 GPA. 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. Kelling was named Football Gazette's Division II National Defensive Player of the Year in 1991 during his playing days. 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 Bolingbroke and Schenks are slated to come back in the fall but both will miss the Spring Game due to injuries. 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. Fitzgerald feels he has a strong offensive line, with top talent in redshirt sophomore Lyle Santos at right guard and Frostburg State transfer Brandon Dillard at right tackle. TicketSmarter: Official Ticket Resale Partner, George S. Eccles Sports Performance Center, Gerardi Earns Spot at Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Mini-Camp, ASUN-WAC Football Partnership Formally Rebrands As The United Athletic Conference, Southern Utah Football Spring Game Preview, Thunderbirds Football Signs Big '23 Class, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital. A big part of spring ball is the learning and getting a feel for what we want. CEDAR CITY - Southern Utah University and head football coach Demario Warren announced recently that they have mutually agreed to part . CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah Thunderbirds have announced three new additions to Coach DeLane Fitzgerald's coaching staff for the upcoming year.. CEDAR CITY, Utah Southern Utah University head football coach DeLane Fitzgerald has announced his coaching staff for the upcoming season. Fernandez joined the staff as an undergraduate assistant in 2009 following a stellar career as a Thunderbird player. "Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years," Corum said. The intersquad scrimmage is set for Saturday, April 16, at 1 p.m and is free to the public. . He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. The end of the 2021 season marked the conclusion of Warren's sixth year as head coach of the Thunderbirds, and 14th year with the program overall. In the 2000-2001 school year, SUU's Coaching Factory Hall of Fame was established and will be erected on a wall within the new building. He said they will do things the right way, adding that his players will be diligently attending class, weightlifting sessions, study hall, meetings and practices. We have four or five good players on each side of the ball. A native of Erda, Utah, he is a graduate of Tooele High School, where he was an all-state and all-region performer. The intersquad scrimmage is set for Saturday, April 16, at 1 p.m and is free to the public. Corum said the other members of the hiring committee also expressed similar sentiments, stating that they agreed he was the right person for the job. McClure coached the Trailblazers from. It is important to me that everybody in this program gets a clean slate, said Fitzgerald. Brunson played quarterback for the Bobcats in 2019, throwing for 2,067 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding three more touchdowns on the ground. Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years, SUU athletic director Debbie Corum said in a statement. Starting with the 2022-23 school year, SUU will be exiting the Big Sky Conference and joining the Western Athletic Conference. Most important, though, on top of being good coaches and good recruiters, we have a coaching staff made up of good people. SOCCER SOFTBALL MEN'S TENNIS WOMEN'S TENNIS MEN'S/WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD VOLLEYBALL 351 W. University Blvd, Cedar City, Utah 84720 Main Phone (435) 865-8355 Fax (435) 865-8078 Staff Directory Members By Category/Department Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. The OFFICIAL YouTube account for Southern Utah University. 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. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. On the defensive side of the ball, the Thunderbirds will be anchored by senior defensive ends Zach Strand, who also followed Fitzgerald from Frostburg State, and Francis Bemiy. The Thunderbirds new coach is confident that he and his staff can make thenecessary changes to turn things around. However, Millers subpar 2,416 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions on 61% completion means his job might not necessarily be a lock. Our right guard and right tackle can play with the best of em, Fitzgerald said. Sanders' work in the classroom was also recognized during high school with an Academic All-Region selection. Acord comes to Cedar City by way of Northridge High School in North Salt Lake, Utah. 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. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all aspects of an NCAA Division III athletic program. 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. Tapasa and his wife, Joanna, reside in St. George and have five daughters. Williams added another four scores on just 32 attempts for 206 yards. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. With the success, head coach Ed Lamb joined the staff at Brigham Young in Provo and defensive coordinator Demario Warren was promoted.[11]. Needing to plug multiple gaps along the line has left spots open for competition. Southern Utah. Bates joins Southern Utah after serving one season as the strength and conditioning coach for Hampton University. Outside of my wife and kids, my three beautiful daughters I dont think about anything else but football, he said. The SUU head coach feels that redshirt senior punter Jake Gerardi could be another NFL-bound player. Kelling coached the defensive backs in his first two seasons before becoming the team's co-defensive coordinator in 2006. I'm excited to build a great college football program with them.". Focus and consistency, if he can get those two down, hes going to be fine.. While playing for the Thunderbirds, Hunt started 33 straight games from his sophomore to senior seasons, never missing a game during his career. He was a two-time letter winner playing college football at both Grand Rapids Community College and Wayne State University. 2 UCLA, High school boys soccer: 4A/3A/2A state tournament scores and schedules, Utah States Logan Bonner has 2 tryout chances to earn himself an NFL contract. Coach Hunt has worked with both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. After playing on the varsity squad for four seasons, Lynch was honored as both the Offensive MVP and Team MVP. As this goes on, getting these young men to buy in and we start running like a well-oiled machine, we will get more and more exciting.. His best season came in 2021 when he led the team with 694 yards. The Thunderbirds are one of five new teams being added to the WAC, which will have 13 teams after the expansion. New faces on the staff for the upcoming season include offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Blair Peterson, defensive coordinator and safeties coach John Kelling, defensive ends coach Shawn Magginson, tight ends coach Will Brunson, cornerbacks coach Nick Rosser and Andrew Bates, who will serve as the football team's strength and conditioning coach. With Davis, Duckett, and Moore III all off the 2022 roster, the door is open for Williams to become the go-to option. Linebackers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator 435-586-5470 435-586-5470: shaymcclure@suu.edu: Shawn Magginson: Defensive Ends Coach 435-586-5470 435-586-5470: shawnmagginson@suu.edu: Ryan Hunt: Interior Defensive Line Coach/Director of Football Operations 435-586-5470 435-586-5470: hunt@suu.edu: Will Brunson: Tight Ends Coach (He) played for us last year at Frostburg and had 20 or 30 tackles as a true freshman, Fitzgerald said. Tye Hiatt will be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Ryan Payne will be the new offensive line coach, and Brandon Perkins is set to be the . More:Demario Warren out as Southern Utah head football coach after six seasons. Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? He finished fourth on the team with 46 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. and will lead SUU in their first year in WAC play. With a new coaching staff working to establish a winning culture, veteran players are expected to lead by example. All rights reserved. Theyve been winners in college and now theyre graduate transfers, so they bring some much-needed leadership.. Jenkins transferred to Southern Utah and will help bolster the Thunderbirds receiving corps in 2022. At the beginning of his remarks, Fitzgerald joked how his luggage hadnt arrived in time, due to a flight cancellation. Speaking to players, students, alumni and members of the press and public during a half-hour introductory news conference inside SUUs student center, Fitzgerald promised to bring a culture of competitiveness to SUUs football program. Thunderbirds. The team began spring practices on Monday, March 21, and the Spring Game allows a preview into what can be expected for next season. The Dolphins won 10 conference championships across multiple sports during Bates' tenure. Hes going to play safety and hes going to run around and make 40-60 tackles for us,Fitzgerald said. High school girls golf: Week 8 region recap from some 6A, 5A, 4A and 3A regions. Sanderswas a First Team All-Region performer for the Wasps at wide receiver. [5] The Thunderbirds were members of the RMAC from 1969 to 1985, with an overall record of 86733 (.540) during that time. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. Southern Utah University football spring game photo gallery. Before meeting coach Fitzgerald in Maryland, Kelling coached at the University of Mary in North Dakota for two seasons in various roles. Hunt will be in his 18th season when the T-Birds kickoff the 2022 schedule. 2022 will mark Fernandez's 14th season at Southern Utah, and 11th as a full-time assistant. Rancho Cucamonga, California / Alta Loma HS. 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. Iglesias was a three-year starter for Orange. 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. A native of Virginia, Fitzgerald played college football for James Madison University then started working as an assistant coach in 2000. Information on each signee, along with a link to the announcement of their signing, can be viewed below. Singleton transferred to Liberty following the departure of Demario Warren. Claude Edward Lamb III [1] (born March 4, 1974) is an American college football coach and former player. But if youre trying to break it down, were going to be 45% run, 45% pass, and then the jet sweep stuff and option will be about 10%, he said. Prior to that, he had been a coach in various capacities in the program since 2007.
