Thunderbirds. In 2021, Justin Miller lined up under center for SUU. Needing to plug multiple gaps along the line has left spots open for competition. Though a newcomer at the school, he comes to Cedar City with plenty of coaching experience and high expectations. Before working with the Pirates, Bates was the head strength and conditioning coach at Jacksonville University for nine and a half years. As for the rest of the roster, very few notable players are returning. Well have a football program thats based on a culture of competitiveness and competitive greatness.. He left the school as the winningest coach in program history. sports@suunews.net Philadelphia, Pennsylvania / Penn Treaty HS. Focus and consistency, if he can get those two down, hes going to be fine.. From there, he took over at Frostburg State, where he guided the Bobcats from 18 wins during the eight years before his arrival to 62 over the next eight, including four seasons with 10 or more wins. A native of Virginia, Fitzgerald played college football for James Madison University then started working as an assistant coach in 2000. 351 W. University Blvd, Cedar City, Utah 84720 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 new faces for the Thunderbirds are Tye Hiatt, Ryan Payne, and Brandon Perkins. Well, about halfway through his presentation, all I can think of is, I would give anything in the world right now if I could become an 18-year-old man and come play for him. And thats when I knew we had the right person that we were interviewing.. Were going to show up on time. He was a two-time letter winner playing college football at both Grand Rapids Community College and Wayne State University. Bates went to Jacksonville after a two-year stint at Marshall University. Coming off a 1-10 season and led by an overhauled coaching staff, foundational pieces for the rebuild may be starting to take shape. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. 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. Claude Edward Lamb III [1] (born March 4, 1974) is an American college football coach and former player. SUU is hopeful Fitzgerald can produce similar results in Cedar City. Overall, the T-Birds went 21-42 under Warren. Information on each signee, along with a link to the announcement of their signing, can be viewed below. I'm excited to build a great college football program with them.". All rights reserved. 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. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The T-birds lost to rival Weber State last Saturday 62-0 to conclude their 2021 campaign. In 2015 he moved to the offensive line. [6] While in the WFC from 1986 to 1992, the Thunderbirds' overall record was 41341 (.546). They were an independent for eight years,[8] then became a charter conference member again in 2004 with the Great West Conference (GWC). "Coach Warren has been a cherished. Kelling coached the defensive backs in his first two seasons before becoming the team's co-defensive coordinator in 2006. SUU is a caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences . Tosh Wright and Jordan Jefferson each could add to the revamped backfield. SUU will see how its crop of newcomers and returning players will mesh during their spring game on April 15. 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. He also spent time at Michigan State and Wayne State. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. He also spent 2016 as the tight ends coach at Florida International, where he mentored NFL tight end Jonu Smith. The American Samoa native also spent time coaching at Western Oregon, Eastern Oregon and Humboldt State. The only thing thats going to stop Isaiah Williams is Isaiah Williams, Fitzgerald said. Ryan Hunt- Interior Defensive Line Coach/Director of Football Operations. We are aiming to build a solid foundation.. The win-loss record doesnt matter to me right now, he said. Before transferring to FSU, Brunson played quarterback at the University of Albany where he threw for 2,334 yards with 10 touchdowns in three seasons. They had an 83 regular season, with losses to Utah State, South Dakota State, and Portland State; their eight wins were by mostly large margins. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. More:Southern Utah University tabs DeLane Fitzgerald as next head football coach, We have some pieces, continued Fitzgerald. 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. Blair Peterson- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach. If you see me yell or make funny faces, its because the pins in these pants have stuck me.. Us older guys just have to make sure we set the standard high and consistently do the right things everyday, said redshirt sophomore Lyle Santos. Rancho Cucamonga, California / Alta Loma HS. He was also a dedicated student in the classroom, earning Academic All-Region honors. The junior running back brings physicality and size to the backfield at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds. 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. 1/11/2022 4:36:00 PM. What Utah college football players have entered the transfer portal this spring? Sanders' work in the classroom was also recognized during high school with an Academic All-Region selection. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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. After his remarks, Fitzgerald also fielded several questions from the media and football players. 11/15/2021 9:23:00 AM. The school announced Monday that SUU and Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways after six seasons. Additionally, Fitzgerald said the teams hes coached have been among the top leaders in sacks and making other big plays. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all aspects of an NCAA Division III athletic program. "I am happy with the way our coaching staff came together," Fitzgerald said. His best season came in 2021 when he led the team with 694 yards. 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. Before meeting coach Fitzgerald in Maryland, Kelling coached at the University of Mary in North Dakota for two seasons in various roles. "I am happy with the way our coaching staff came together," Fitzgerald said. April 16, 2022 - by Chevy Blackburn. Our right guard and right tackle can play with the best of em, Fitzgerald said. The spring game will offer a glimpse into what the quarterback situation may look like. Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. His first head coaching job was at Southern Virginia from 2009-13, after which he became the head coach of Frostburg State. They also have three young grandsons. 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. Follow Sean on Twitter @SeanEllertson. The Sammamish, Washington native led Eastlake High School to a 9-2 record as a senior under center. The Thunderbirds new coach is confident that he and his staff can make thenecessary changes to turn things around. SUU bolstered its defense at the safety position this offseason through transfers Mitchell Price arriving from BYU, Tre Caine from UNLV and Josh Dunn from Frostburg State. Before joining the Thunderbird coaching staff, Tapasa served as defensive line coach at Sacramento State. From 2004-11, Kelling coached at the University of North Dakota where he faced the Thunderbirds on multiple occasions. Prior to that, he had been a coach in various capacities in the program since 2007. While playing for the Thunderbirds, Hunt started 33 straight games from his sophomore to senior seasons, never missing a game during his career. He led a Southern Virginia team to its second-ever winning season in 2013 with an 8-2 record. The Southern Utah University football team is a team in transition. And not promising national titles and not promising conference titles and stuff here today, but were going to be extremely competitive. 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. Who is new Runnin Ute Keba Keita and how is Utahs 2022-23 roster shaping up? Spring practices have been without the top two receiving targets, Ethan Bolingbroke and Brandon Schenks, who are both recovering from injuries. The WAC already includes two other Utah teams, namely Dixie State University and Utah Valley University. 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. He has a chance to be as good as he wants to be. All rights reserved. A big part of spring ball is the learning and getting a feel for what we want. "He has elevated the football program in many ways and has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of young men. The program has been in steady decline over the past few years under Warren in terms of on-field results. Tapasa and his wife, Joanna, reside in St. George and have five daughters. Theyve been winners in college and now theyre graduate transfers, so they bring some much-needed leadership.. Thats because Fitzgerald is no stranger to turning programs around. He graduated from SUU with a master's of accountancy in 2018. 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. Thanks to the departure of Kobe Singleton, Fitzgerald will need to find another lockdown corner. At the beginning of his remarks, Fitzgerald joked how his luggage hadnt arrived in time, due to a flight cancellation. The Southern Utah University Thunderbirds will be looking for a new head football coach. The 2022 staff includes four coaches retained from the previous staff, and six new additions to SUU. Lynch was a First Team All-CIF Southern selection in 2021, and First Team All-Palomares League in 2019, 20 and 21. 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. [4], In 1993, Southern Utah moved up to Division I-AA and joined the American West Conference (AWC) as a charter member. 2023 www.thespectrum.com. "That's our deepest group right there in terms of talent, Fitzgerald said. 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. Robison, listed at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, flashed his ability to extend plays and make good reads in the RPO game. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Ahead of the 2016 season Tapasa was brought to Cedar City to serve as SUU's Co-Defensive Coordinator and coach the linebacking unit. "Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years," Corumsaid. 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. Southern Utah University football helmet, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News . McClure coached the Trailblazers from. The Thunderbird football program got longer, stronger and faster today.". 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. Magginson was a four-year player for the Bobcat football team and appeared in all 13 games and made two starts as a senior. 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. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. He served as team captain of the track and field team and won his school's Student-Athlete Leadership Award and Community Service Award. Price was out of Wednesdays practice due to his wedding on Thursday. The Thunderbirds play their home games on campus at Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, Utah, and have been led by head coach DeLane Fitzgerald since 2021. Strand was named Mountain East Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, while Bemiy, who made the All-WAC preseason defensive team, has the tools to play in the NFL, according to Fitzgerald. New head coach DeLane Fitzgerald addresses his team following Wednesday's practice. All rights reserved. He was named First Team All-District on both offense and special teams during high school. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. 225-771-3171. In December 2022, he was named as the head football coach at the University of Northern Colorado. 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 The 2021 running back position was a revolving door for Southern Utah. 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. He has elevated the football program in many ways and has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of young men. BYU transfer Mitchell Price should have a big impact on the secondary for Fitzgerald. The now-redshirt junior threw for 2,416 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with 13 interceptions. Kelling was named Football Gazette's Division II National Defensive Player of the Year in 1991 during his playing days. Bemiy, alongside Frostburg State transfer Zach Strand, should be two difference-makers along the defensive line. Williams led the Thunderbirds averaging 6.2 yards per carry. The move comes as SUU is just 1-10 this season, including 0-8 in Big Sky Conference play. Bolingbroke and Schenks are slated to come back in the fall but both will miss the Spring Game due to injuries. 225-771-3171. ricky.jackson@subr.edu. 0:24 Southern Utah University football has announced the hiring of former Dixie State head coach Shay McClure as the team's linebackers coach. Fitzgeralds staff at Frostburg consistently led D-II in tackles for loss and sacks, which should only drive up Bemiys potential. The T-Birds also signed a number of players as transfers, including a number of former Utah high schoolers and in-state transfers from BYU and elsewhere. Before BYU, Peterson was an offensive quality control assistant at Rice for two seasons. Southern Utah. [3], Southern Utah fielded its inaugural team in 1963 with Bruce Osborne as head coach,[4] remained an NAIA independent through 1968, then became a charter member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). Brunson played quarterback for the Bobcats in 2019, throwing for 2,067 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding three more touchdowns on the ground. Theyre going to be very, very good in four or five years.. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Joining Fitzgerald from Frostburg State, Magginson will work as the defensive ends coach at SUU. 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 . "We have a coaching staff that can coach and recruit with anyone in the country. 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 spoke of the multiplicity of offensive tactics he likes to employ, which he said will typically evolve depending on the players. For all the latest on Southern Utah football, follow @SUUFB_ on Twitter, @SUUFB on Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Football Facebook page. Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved. 2023 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, "Branding & Creative - Marketing Communication", "NCAA Sports Sponsorship: Southern Utah University", "DeLane Fitzgerald Named Head Football Coach at Southern Utah", "Southern Utah now part of American West", "Great West football conference announces formation", "SUU football: T-Birds earn program's first Big Sky championship", "WAC Announces Expansion, Plans to Reinstate Football", "ASUN And WAC Unveil 2023 Football Schedule", "ASUN-WAC Football Partnership Formally Rebrands as the United Athletic Conference", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Southern_Utah_Thunderbirds_football&oldid=1150979373, American football teams established in 1963, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 21 April 2023, at 05:17.
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