COACHES COACHES INSIDE THIS SECTION

19 TOMMY WEST 24 ASSISTANT COACHES & THEIR FAMILIES 33 SUPPORT STAFF TommyTommy WestWest MEMPHIS Tommy West, the former Clemson head foot- opener, the Tigers found themselves ranked fourth grams could claim. The third bowl bid marked the ball coach who came to Memphis in 2000 as de- in the nation in defense. A week later, Memphis first time since the mid-1980s that Clemson had fensive coordinator, was hired as the Tigers' head limited Louisiana-Monroe to just 176 total yards been to a three straight years and West coach on November 30, 2000. West led the Tiger and in doing so, climbed into second place in the became just the second coach in Clemson history defense to a fifth place national ranking in total de- NCAA rankings. The Tigers never relinquished to take the Tigers to three consecutive bowl games. fense and the their top 10 ranking throughout the season despite His first four seasons at Clemson saw the number one playing several nationally-ranked offenses. Mem- Tigers make late season runs in the bowl stand- position in phis finished the 2000 campaign ranked No. 5 in ings. In 1994, with the youngest defense in Clem- rushing de- the nation in total defense and No. 1 in the nation in son history, one that started seven freshmen, the fense in 2000. rushing defense. Tigers won three of their final four games, including West, Memphis limited nine of its 11 opponents to a victory at 12th ranked North Carolina. Memphis’ less than 100 yards rushing and no team rushed The surge of success at the end of the 1995 21st head foot- for more than 125 yards against the U of M in 2000. season had the Tigers in the Top 25 of every poll. ball coach, The Tigers had five players named to the Clemson won its last five regular season games, came to the Ti- All-Conference USA first team defensive unit, which including four wins by at least 17 points. West’s gers with a tied the C-USA record for the most players from Tigers were picked fifth in the ACC preseason poll reputation as a one school ever named to a first team unit. Nose that year but relied on the third best offense in Clem- national re- Marcus Bell, defensive end Andre Arnold, son football history and the nation’s 10th ranked cruiter and he linebacker Kamal Shakir, safety Idrees Bashir and defense in scoring to finished third in the ACC stand- has proved with his recruiting classes that the repu- corner Michael Stone all received first team All-C- ings with a 6-2 record, its best league finish since tation was well deserved. USA honors in 2000. Freshman linebacker Coot the Tigers won the ACC title in 1991. The Tigers' 2002 recruiting class was ranked Terry and corner Jason Brown were also named The 1995 campaign was one in which Clem- as the number one class in Conference USA by to the C-USA All-Freshman Team defensive unit. son excelled in every area. The Tigers were Tom Lemming and SuperPrep Football Magazine Prior to his arrival in Memphis, West re- ranked fourth in the nation in rushing, yet also led and one of the top fifty classes in the nation for 2002. sume as a head coach included four bowl appear- the ACC in yards per pass attempt. Defensively, West and his staff landed the state's top defensive ances, 12 road wins and four wins over Associ- Clemson rated in the Top 20 in the nation in rushing prospect in Ridgeway High's Willie Henderson and ated Press Top 25 teams while serving as head defense, passing efficiency defense and turnover Georgia's top prospect in Maurice coach at Clemson. But in addition to his abilities as margin. In terms of special teams, Clemson was Avery of McNair High in Atlanta. Two weeks after a head coach, West earned his reputation as a the only school in the nation to have individuals National Signing Day, DeAngelo Williams, the num- tireless recruiter while at Clemson. ranked in the Top 25 in punting, placekicking, punt ber one in Arkansas inked with West During his tenure at Clemson, West recruited returns and kickoff returns. and the U of M. the school's all-time leading rusher, Raymond The 1996 sea- The Tigers posted a 5-6 record during the Priester, the school's all-time leading passer, son saw Clem- 2001 season and came within a matter of seconds and the school's all-time leading son win of receiving the school's first bowl bid in 30 years. receiver, Rod Gardner. five Several bowl scouts were in attendance for the U of In addition to the offensive talent he landed for M's season finale and were prepared to extend an the Tigers, West had two linebackers named to offer if the Tigers had won the game. The game All-America teams and both were drafted into the played to the final :04 seconds before the NFL. Anthony Simmons was named to the 1996 outcome was decided. and 1997 All-America teams and was drafted by West's first class of recruits at Memphis in- the . Keith Adams was an All- cluded 10 players from the Memphis area, a feat American in 1999 and 2000 and was drafted by the unheard of in past years at the U of M. . Gardner was a first round draft West, who was inducted into the All-Ameri- selection of the Washington Redskins. can Football Foundation Hall of Fame in April of Not only did West recruits excel on the field, 2002, came to the U of M campus in December of they also excelled in the classroom. Over the last 1999 after spending five years with the Atlantic Coast two years, 1998-99 and 1999-2000, Clemson's Conference football power. He took over a Mem- football teams had a graduation rate of 75% which phis defense that had been ranked 23rd in the na- ranked the school among the nation's leaders in tion in 1999 in total defense but had been unable to the classroom. defend against the run. The 1998 was Clemson’s After allowing Mississippi State University just third consecutive season-ending bowl appear- 127 total yards of total offense in the 2000 season ance, an accomplishment that only 16 other pro- 19 Tommy West of its last six regular season games, including a sacks per game. Offensively, the young team made victory at 15th ranked Virginia, just the third road great strides, averaging over 25 points per game THE QUICK FACTS win over a ranked team in the decade of the 1990s during the last four contests. The team threw for for the Tigers. For the second consecutive year over 2000 yards, marking just the second Clem- ABOUT Clemson won the ACC rushing title and reached a son team in the school’s history to do so. Top 25 ranking. Clemson won 75 percent of its West ended his tenure at Clem- ACC games, this time finishing tied for second son with a 28-19 victory over archrival TOMMY WEST in the league standings with North Caro- South Carolina, the third time in four lina. The Tigers were extended a years he had beaten Clemson’s chief ✰Born bid to the Peach Bowl to face rival. At the conclusion of the game, West, July 31, 1954, in Carrolton, GA LSU. his wife Lindsay and son Turner were ✰ carried off the field by the Clemson play- High School In 1997, the Tigers won Gainesville (GA) High, received varsity letters in foot- four of their last five regular ers, a testimony to their respect for West. ball, basketball and baseball and was a high school season games, including a In 1996-97, 20 Clemson foot- All-American selection in football (1972) and was an 47-21 victory over South ball players made the ACC Academic all-state and All-Southern selection in 1972; Drafted Carolina in the season finale that Honor Roll, the highest total on record. by Chicago Cubs in 1972. clinched a bowl invitation. It was In fact, each of the three highest totals ✰ for academics in Clemson football his- College the most points scored by Clem- Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Education from son against South Carolina since tory had taken place under the guidance of Tennessee in 1976; Earned three letters as a scholar- 1900. West and the team’s GPA entering 1998 ship TE and was a two-year letter winner for the Volun- The ‘97 season featured a was a 20-year high. teer baseball team; Was drafted by the Tampa Bay record setting passing attack, led by Sixty-one football players were chosen Buccaneers in 1976. Nealon Greene, who set season to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in the last ✰ four years of West’s tenure, twice as many Personal Data records for pass completions, passing Name: Thomas Cleveland West yards and completion percentage. The as any four-year period in Clemson history. Family: Wife, Lindsay Watkins West of Forest City, NC; defense followed suit, led by first-team West took over the head coaching posi- a Appalachian State graduate, and one child, Turner AP All-American Anthony Simmons, tion at Clemson on November 29, 1993. Less (12/19/87). who led the ACC in tackles and tack- than a month later he already had a bowl vic- ✰Coaching/Administrative Career les for loss. Clemson’s defense tory on his record, a 14-13 win over Kentucky in the Peach Bowl, Clemson’s sixth bowl 1979: Assistant at Ole Miss under , ranked in the Top 20 in the nation in (running backs); Ole Miss finished the season with a 4-7 record rushing defense, total defense and win in an eight-year period. With his de- and placed 7th in the SEC... 1980-81: Assistant coach at scoring defense and ranked third in but in the Peach Bowl, West became Appalachian State under Mike Working in 1980 (receivers), the ACC in pass defense. the sixth coach in NCAA history to and named in 1981 ...1982-89: Assis- West’s 1998 Clemson team continued the make his debut with a program in a bowl game. tant coach at Clemson under Charlie Pell, (outside lineback- However, at that time, he was just the second coach ers), Clemson played in 1985 ; 1986 Gator tradition of top defenses. Clemson ranked 12th in Bowl; 1987 ; 1988 Citrus Bowl; 1989 the nation in rushing defense and 25th in total de- in collegiate football history to make his debut in a ...1990: Assistant coach at Tennessee under , fense. The squad finished second in the ACC to bowl game without previously coaching his new (running backs); Tennessee played in 1990 ...1991- Florida State in both areas and led the league in team as an assistant coach earlier in the season. 92: at South Carolina under Sparky West was a mainstay of a Clemson coach- Woods, (defensive coordinator/linebackers) ...1993: Hired ing staff that led the Tigers to a 69-20-4 record and as head coach at UT-Chattanooga and led Mocs to 4-7-0 six Associated Press Top 20 rankings between record ... 1993: Hired as head coach at Clemson to replace West’s Head Coaching for Peach Bowl game...1994-98: Head coach at Marks 1982-89. During his first tour of duty with Clemson, ; Led the Tigers to a 31-28 record and Overall ...... 40-41 working as outside linebacker coach, Clemson appearances in the Gator Bowl (1995); Peach Bowl (1996) Home Record ...... 25-17 played in five bowl games (winning four) and and the Peach Bowl (1997) ... 2000: Defensive coordinator at the University of Memphis; Led the Tigers to a fifth place na- Away Record ...... 14-21 claimed four ACC Championships, including three tional ranking in total defense and the number one ranking in Neutral Record ...... 1-3 consecutive from 1986-88. Clemson had a 44-10-1 record against ACC rushing defense 2001: Hired as head coach at Memphis to Aug/Sept ...... 13-16 replace Rip Scherer and led Tigers to a 5-6 record during the October ...... 13-15 competition during his era on the Tiger staff, an 81 2001 season ... 2002: Inducted into All- November ...... 14-10 percent winning mark. Additionally, five of those Foundation Hall of Fame. Outrush Opposition ...... 32-11 Clemson teams ranked in the top 15 in the nation in rushing defense and scoring defense, and three ✰Record Win Turnover Margin ...... 23-3 At UT-Chattanooga: 4-7-0 (1993) C-USA Record ...... 3-4 ranked in the top 12 in the nation in total defense. Clemson’s 1989 defense ranked fifth in the At Clemson: 31-28-0 (1993-98) C-USA Home Record ...... 2-2 At Memphis: 5-6-0 (2001-) C-USA Road Record ...... 1-2 nation in total defense, rushing defense and scoring Total Record: 40-41-0 ( 7 years) ACC Record ...... 21-19 defense and West’s outside linebackers played an ACC Home Record ...... 11-9 instrumental part in the success story. His top four ACC Road Record ...... 10-10 outside linebackers that year all played in the NFL Wins Over Top 25...... 4 in 1994. The list of former West players in the NFL

20 Tommy West included Levon Kirkland and Wayne Simmons, both of whom played in the in the 1990’s. West began his coaching career as a gradu- ate assistant at Tennessee (his alma mater) in 1977. He left the Volunteers and coached one year of at White County High in Sparta, TN, in 1978 before being hired as an assistant coach at Ole Miss in 1979. After a season at Mississippi, he was hired as an assistant coach at Appalachian State during the 1980 and 81 seasons. After his career as an assistant at Clemson (1982-89), West became the running backs coach at Tennessee. During the 1990 season Tennes- see won the and cap- tured the Sugar Bowl with a win over Virginia. The Volunteers scored a school record 442 points that season and averaged over 410 yards per game in total offense, 205.7 rushing and 205.4 passing. He served as Co-Defensive Coordinator at South Caro- lina in 1991 and 1992. In 1993 West took over a UT-Chattanooga team that had won just two games in 1992. He doubled that total in 1993 and guided the Mocs to one of the landmark wins in school history, a 33-31 bachelor's degree from Tennessee in 1976 and team. win over #1 ranked Marshall. He concluded the was drafted by the that Born Thomas Cleveland West on July 31, regular season with a 45-42 victory over Furman. same year. West played two years (1974-75) of 1954, he is married to the former Lindsay Watkins Ironically, his first regular season game at Clem- baseball at Tennessee and had a career batting of Forest City, NC. The couple has one son, Turner, son was a victory over Furman. average of .305. He hit .367 in 1975 and was named age 14, who is a freshman at Briarcrest High West earned three letters in his four-year ca- All-SEC Eastern Division. School. reer at Tennessee (1972-75). The Vols played in West was a multi-sport standout in high three bowl games and were ranked in a final Top school. He was an outfielder in baseball, a guard in 20 poll over the same three year span. He was co- basketball and a running back in football. In 1972 captain of Tennessee's 1975 football team and he was named a High School All-American in foot- played in the Blue-Gray All-Star game that same ball and was a second round draft choice in base- year. ball by the Chicago Cubs. Willie Randolph, who He began his college career as a running went on to an All-Star career with the New York back, but saw most of his playing time as a tight Yankees, was one of the 77 future Major League end. He caught 37 passes for 575 yards in his UT players drafted after West in the regular phase of career, including 16 passes for 233 yards as a the June 1972 draft. He played his prep football at senior. As a junior, he caught an 81-yard pass Gainesville High School in Gainesville, GA, for from Condredge Hollaway, still the longest non-scor- coach Bobby Gruhn. West was an all-state back ing play in Tennessee football history. He earned a as a junior and was also named to the All-Southern

Coaches Who Made Their Debut in Bowl Games

New Coach School Succeeded (Bowl Opponent, Result) Clemson (‘78 Gator, Ohio State W, 17-15) Minnesota (‘85 Independence, Clemson, W 20-13) Spike Dykes Texas Tech David McWilliams (‘86 Independence, Ole Miss L, 17-20) Jeff Bower Sou. Miss (‘90 All-American, N.C. State L 27-31) Lou Tepper Illinois (‘91 Hall of Fame, UCLA L, 3-6) Tommy West Clemson Ken Hatfield (‘93 Peach Bowl, Kentucky, W, 14-13) Carl Torbush North Carolina (‘97 Gator, , W, 42-3) Ole Miss (‘98 Independence,Texas Tech, W, 35-18) Tulane (‘98 Liberty, BYU, W, 41-27)

21 Tommy West

"WHAT TOMMY SAID"... (Q&A with Tommy West following spring practice Year-By-Year with Tommy West 2002.) About the U of M offense: "I really like the "spread" offense and the more we practice it, the Year School (assignment) Record Bowl Conf. Finish more I like it. It allows us to be aggressive on of- 1979 Ole Miss (running backs) 4-7-0 - 7th fense by putting pressure on the defenses we face. This offense allows us to use tempo and our skill 1980 Appalachian St (receivers) 6-4-0 - 3rd athletes to attack the entire football field." About the U of M quarterback Danny 1981 Appalachian St (Offensive Coor.) 3-7-1 - 7th Wimprine: "I thought that Randy (Fichtner, Offen- sive Coordinator) did a really good job of bringing 1982 Clemson (OLB) 9-1-1 - 1st Danny along last season. When we opened the season, he was not ready to be the starter. We worked 1983 Clemson (OLB) 9-1-1 - NA him behind Travis Anglin and Neil Suber and by mid-season, he was getting more and more reps. 1984 Clemson (OLB) 7-4-0 - NA Once he became the starter, you could see him 1985 Clemson (OLB) 6-6-0 Independence 3rd improve from game-to-game as he picked up the offense and learned to read the defense. This past 1986 Clemson (OLB) 8-2-2 Gator 1st spring he did a great job. He improved his short throws and gained more accuracy on his deep balls. 1987 Clemson (OLB) 10-2-0 Citrus 1st In fact, Danny didn't throw an until the final series of the spring game." 1988 Clemson (OLB) 10-2-0 Citrus 1st About the U of M offensive line: "I think that as we started to improve last season, it was because of 1989 Clemson (OLB) 10-2-0 Gator 3rd the improvement of the offensive line. We made some changes in the line early in the fall and really 1990 Tennessee (running backs) 9-2-2 Sugar 1st had a good group of players in place by the latter part of the season. In fact, we did not give up a 1991 Sou. Carolina (Defensive Coor.) 3-6-0 - NA during the final four games of the 2001 season. We have several of the veterans back 1992 Sou. Carolina (Defensive Coor.) 5-6-0 - 4th (E) from last season including Jimond (Pugh) at center, 1993 UT-Chattanooga (Head Coach) 4-7-0 - 8th Wade (Smith) at left tackle, Doug Whittaker at right tackle and Joe Gerda at guard." 1993 Clemson (Head Coach) 1-0-0 Peach NA About the U of M defense: "This football pro- gram has always taken a great deal of pride in their 1994 Clemson (Head Coach) 5-6-0 - 6th defensive unit and for many years, the defense has been nationally ranked in numerous categories. 1995 Clemson (Head Coach) 8-4-0 Gator 3rd We were young last year having lost six starters from the 2000 unit. We had three new starters in 1996 Clemson (Head Coach) 7-5-0 Peach 2nd the front, a new inside linebacker and two new starters in the secondary. Now we have eight start- 1997 Clemson (Head Coach) 7-5-0 Peach 5th ers back for 2002 and quite a few young players who were able to see action last fall. I look for us to 1998 Clemson (Head Coach) 3-8-0 - NA be a more aggressive defense with a great deal of speed." 2000 Memphis (Defensive Coor.) 4-7 - T7th About the U of M kicking game: "Again, we 2001 Memphis (Head Coach) 5-6 - T7th were young last year on our special teams. We had to play two true freshmen with our punting unit and early on it showed. I made it a goal of recruiting this past winter to shore-up the special teams units and I believe that we did just that. James Gaither is West's Bowl Participation back as our punter (he received freshman All-

America and all-conference honors) but we signed As a Player ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ another punter, another deep snapper and a kicker 1989 Gator Bowl among our class of 2002. I think that the best way to 1990 Sugar Bowl improve is to have competition at every position. 1972 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl About the first year's freshman class: "I'm very happy with the 2002 class. It's a tribute to the hard 1973 Gator Bowl As a Head Coach work of the staff that we signed such a great class. We have been ranked in the top 50 by two national 1974 1993 Peach Bowl recruiting services and number one in Conference USA. If you can keep having the top recruiting class 1995 Gator Bowl in your league, then it stands to reason that soon As an Assistant Coach 1996 Peach Bowl you should start winning the conference champi- 1985 Independence Bowl onship. It was pleasing to land the top defensive 1997 Peach Bowl player in the state of Tennessee (Willie Henderson), 1986 Gator Bowl the two-time Atlanta Offensive Player of the Year (Maurice Avery), the top running back in Arkansas 1988 Citrus Bowl (DeAngelo Williams), the top tight end prospect in Louisiana (John Doucette) and one of the nation's 1989 Citrus Bowl top junior college receivers (Tavares Gideon)."

22 Tommy West

About Tommy West’s Coaching Career ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ All-C-USA Players under Tommy West ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Wayne Simmons OLB 2000 Marcus Bell, NT 1st Darnell Stephens OLB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Andre Arnold, DE 1st Derrick Witherspoon RB Kamal Shakir, LB 1st Antwan Wyatt WR Idrees Bashir, FS 1st Idrees Bashir DB Michael Stone, CB 1st Michael Stone DB Coot Terry, OLB All-Frosh Marcus Bell DT Arizona Cardinals Jason Brown, CB All-Frosh 2001 Artis Hicks, OG 1st Top Clemson ACC Academic Honor Roll Members by Years Glenn Sumter, DB 1st 1996-97 Tommy West 20 Dante Brown, RB 2nd 1995-96 Tommy West 17 Drew Harmon, C All-Frosh 1997-98 Tommy West 13 Darron White, WR All-Frosh 1994-95 Tommy West 11 James Gaither, P All-Frosh 1971-72 10 1972-73 Hootie Ingram 10 All-ACC Players under Tommy West 1994 Tim Jones, LB 1st Top 25 NCAA Stat Rankings under Tommy West Brian Dawkins, SS 2nd 1994 Nelson Welch FG/game 13th Wardell Rouse, OLB 2nd Clemson TO Margin 1st Nelson Welch, PK 2nd Clemson Fewest 1st 1995 Brian Dawkins, SS 1st Clemson Rush Defense 14th Anthony Simmons, LB 1st Clemson Scoring Defense 17th Lamarick Simpson, LB 1st 1995 Brian Dawkins 8th Will Young, OG 1st Jeff Sauve FG/game 10th Raymond Priester, RB 2nd Antwan Wyatt KO Returns 12th Dwayne Morgan, OT 2nd Antwan Wyatt Punt Returns 15th Jeff Sauve, PK 2nd Raymond Priester Rushing 18th Leoment Evans, FS 2nd Emory Smith Touchdowns 18th 1996 Anthony Simmons, LB 1st Emory Smith Scoring 20th Trevor Pryce, DT 1st Nealon Greene Passing Eff. 22nd Jim Bundren, OT 1st Chris McInally Punting 23rd Glenn Rountree, OG 2nd 1996 Raymond Priester Rushing 21st Lamont Hall, TE 2nd 1997 KO Returns 8th Jamie Trimble, C 2nd Tony Horne Receptions/game 14th Dexter McCleon, CB 2nd Tony Horne All-Purpose Yards 14th Raymond Priester, RB 2nd Nealon Greene Passing Eff. 19th 1997 Raymond Priester, RB 1st Clemson Rushing Defense 6th Anthony Simmons, LB 1st Clemson KO Returns 14th Glenn Rountree, OG 1st Clemson Total Defense 16th Jim Bundren, OT 1st Clemson Scoring Defense 18th Tony Horne, KR 1st 1998 Antwan Edwards KO Returns 12th Tony Horne, WR 2nd Clemson Rushing Defense 12th Antwan Edwards, DB 2nd Clemson Total Defense 25th , DE 2nd 2000 Memphis Rushing Defense 1st Raymond White, NG 2nd Memphis Total Defense 5th Memphis Pass Eff. Defense 13th NFL Players Coached by Tommy West Memphis Scoring Defense 14th Player Pos Team Glenn Sumter Interceptions T19th Mike Barber LB Indianapolis Colts 2001 Glenn Sumter Interceptions T8th Brentson Buckner DT Jim Bundren OT ACC Coaches to Bowl Three Consecutive Years Brian Dawkins SS Philadelphia Eagles Coach School Streak Years Leomont Evans FS Washington Redskins Florida State 9 1992-00 Tony Horne WR St. Louis Rams Maryland 6 1973-78 John Johnson OLB San Francisco 49ers Mack Brown North carolina 6 1992-97 Levon Kirkland OLB Dick Crum North Carolina 5 1979-83 Dexter McCleon CB St. Louis Rams NC State 5 1988-92 Raymond Priester RB Tennessee Titans Danny Ford Clemson 5 1985-89 Trevor Pryce DT Maryland 4 1982-85 Glenn Rountree OG Lou Holtz NC State 4 1972-75 Wardell Rouse LB Tampa Bay Buccaneers George Welsh Virginia 4 1993-96 OLB Arizona Cardinals Tommy West Clemson 3 1995-97 Ashley Sheppard OLB George Welsh Virginia 3 1989-91 Anthony Simmons LB Seattle Seahawks Bill Dooley North Carolina 3 1970-72

23 AssistantAssistant CoachesCoaches MEMPHIS RANDY FICHTNER Memphis averaged 26.7 points per game in seasons in almost 20 years. OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ 2001 as compared to just 16.1 in 2000. Additionally, Matthews set numerous Tiger single game the Tigers averaged 326.7 yards of total offense per passing records and in just 20 contests with the U of game in 2001 and just 255.7 the previ- M, became the school's third all-time leading passer ous season. with 3,980 yards. Matthews went on to an NFL Under the guidance of career with the , Jacksonville Fichtner, Tiger quarterback Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. Danny Wimprine emerged Fichtner, age 38, also worked as a stu- as one of the top passers in C- dent assistant and graduate assistant at USA in 2001. Wimprine set the Purdue (1985-86) and at the Michi- Memphis record for passing yards gan (1986-87), before joining by a freshman (1,329) and for the Stobart as a volunteer coach number of touchdown passes thrown at USC in 1988. He (14) by a first year player. landed his first full-time Additionally, the Tigers set a new position in 1989 as tight team record for touchdown passes end coach at UNLV and THE FICHTNER FILE thrown in a season with 21 and a new worked for the Running Personal mark for fewest interceptions thrown with Rebels for one season just six for the season. before coming to Mem- Born: Cleveland, OH Fichtner, who coached at the Uni- phis. Birthdate: 11-7-63 versity of Memphis under former head Fichtner is married College: Purdue University (1985) coach Chuck Stobart, spent four years to the former Jennifer Athletics: 2 year football letterman at (1997-2000) on ’ staff at Arkan- Parker of Covington, defensive back sas State University. He arrived in Tennessee, and the Jonesboro as quarterback coach in the couple has three chil- Wife: Jennifer spring of 1997 and was promoted to offen- dren, son Nathaniel Children: Nate, Kirby, Shelby sive coordinator in August of ‘97. Ross, and daughters During his tenure with the Indi- Shelby Brooke and Coaching Experience ans, Fichtner worked with quarterback Kirby Lynn. Cleo Lemon, who set virtually every University of Memphis (2001-present) Arkansas State passing and total offense record. Arkansas State University (1997-00) Lemon became Arkansas State’s all-time leading Purdue University (1994-96) passer as a junior and added to his totals during University of Memphis (1990-93) the 2000 season. Lemon signed a NFL free agent contract with the in April of University of Southern Cal (1988) 2001. University of Michigan (1986-87) Prior to joining the staff at ASU, Fichtner Purdue University (1984-85) spent three years at Purdue University, his alma mater, serving as wide receiver coach and re- cruiting coordinator. Randy Fichtner, who served as offensive co- The Cleveland, Ohio, native came to Mem- ordinator at Arkansas State University for four sea- phis in the fall of 1990 under then head coach sons, was hired by head coach Tommy West, to Chuck Stobart and coached the Tiger receivers serve the offensive coordinator and quarterback and quarterbacks for four seasons. During his coach on the staff at The University of Memphis. He stay at the University of Memphis, Fichtner worked is in his second season with the Tigers under West with such noted receivers and quarterbacks as but is definitely no stranger to the U of M football Steve Matthews, Keith Benton, Russell Copeland, program. Mac Cody and St. Louis Rams All-Pro wide re- An experienced coordinator of the passing ceiver . game, Fichtner installed the "spread offense" at The While at Memphis, Fichtner’s Tiger offense U of M in 2001 and saw his offense pay dividends set 44 records and produced back-to-back 6-5 for the Tigers. records, marking the first consecutive winning THE FICHTNER FAMILY

24 Assistant Coaches CHARLIE COE ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/RECEIVERS 2001. professional baseball, he entered professional foot- While working at the U of M, Coe was respon- ball and spent part of the 1974 season with the St. sible for the development of running backs Gerard Louis Cardinals. Arnold and Teofilo Riley. Arnold broke the single Coe is married to the former Debbie Moore season rushing record in 1998 by gaining 1,059 and the couple has five children, Rodney, Chuck, yards and Riley went over 1,000 career yards rush- Cecily, Michael and Ashleigh. ing during the 1998 season and had a team best 190 yards rush- ing against Arkansas State. In 1998, Tiger backs gained 1,534 yards rushing, averaging 139.5 yards per game. Arnold had 1,059 yards breaking the 35-year old mark set by the late Dave Casinelli. THE COE FILE Coe, who joined Majors' staff at Pittsburgh Personal in 1993, served as the Born: St. Louis, MO run offense coordinator Birthdate: 10-31-49 for the Panthers for one College: Kansas State (1973) season. In each of his first two seasons at Pitt, Athletics: 1 year football & 1 year the Panthers had a baseball letterman 1,000 yard rusher- Wife: Debbie in Children: Rodney, Chuck, Cecily, Michael 1993 and Billy West & Ashleigh in 1994. Prior to joining the staff at Pitt, Coe Coaching Experience coached the receivers Univ. of Memphis (1997-present) and running backs for the Univ. of Pittsburgh (1993-96) University of Tennessee from 1990-92 under Majors. He has also had coaching stints at his Univ. of Tennessee (1990-92) alma mater Kansas State (1989), the Univer- Kansas State Univ. (1989) sity of Missouri (1985-88), the University of Univ. of Missouri (1985-88) Louisville (1983-84), Ball State University Univ. of Louisville (1983-84) (1982), the University of Cincinnati (1977-79) Ball State Univ. (1982) and the University of Iowa (1976). Coe has served a fellowship with the Univ. of Cincinnati (1977-79) in 1992 and 1996, with the Univ. of Iowa (1976) Pittsburgh Steelers in 1995 and with the Cleve- land Browns in 1994. The 52-year old has Charlie Coe, who served as running back also worked with the Kansas City Chiefs and coach at Pittsburgh for four years and as assistant the New York Jets under the NFL Fellowship head coach to Johnny Majors for three seasons, is program. He was named as the offensive co- beginning his sixth year at The University of Mem- ordinator for the North squad in the 1994 Blue- phis. Coe, who had worked for three years as run- Gray All-Star game. ning backs coach for the Tigers, was promoted to A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Coe assistant head coach and receivers coach in 2000. played defensive back and return specialist In 2001, Coe inherited a group of young re- for Kansas State in 1970. He was named All- ceivers which included Antoine Harden and Darron Big Eight Conference in baseball as a second White and turned them into one of the most produc- baseman in 1971. tive groups in Tiger history. White was named to the He was drafted in the first round of the Conference USA All-Freshman team while Harden 1971 Major League Draft by the Detroit Ti- led the league in average yards per reception in gers and spent two years in their system. After

THE COE FAMILY 25 Assistant Coaches

RICK MALLORY nate to have OFFENSIVE LINE Mark Bruener leading his position for a year and a half. Bruener became the Huskers all- time leader in receptions by a tight end, was named first- team All-Pac THE MALLORY FILE 10 twice and was drafted Personal in the first Born: Renton, Washington round of the Birthdate: October 21, 1960 1995 NFL THE MALLORY FAMILY College: Washington (1983) draft by the Athletics: 4 year football letterman at Pittsburgh Steelers. As a rookie, Bruener more before moving to offensive guard prior to his started in the 1996 Super Bowl. junior year (1982). A three-year letterman, he went tight end & offensive guard In 1996, Mallory had Ernie on to earn All-Pac 10 honors and All-Coast honors Wife: Shannon Conwell take over as the starter and as a senior in 1983, when he served as team Children: Ryan, Adam & Cameron he went on to receive first team All- captain. In the 1984 NFL draft, he was selected Pac 10 honors. Conwell was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a ninth by the St. Louis Rams in the second round pick and went on to play five sea- Coaching Experience round of the draft. sons in the NFL. Univ. of Memphis (2000-present) In 1997, Mallory's tight end Mallory earned his bachelor's Univ. of Washington (1993-1998) claimed All-Pac 10 honors for the third degree in political science from Wash- consecutive season. Cameron ington. He attended Linbergh High Cleeland picked up all-league hon- School in Renton, Washington, where ors and was later chosen by the New he was a standout tight end for the Rick Mallory, who served as the offensive Orleans Saints in the NFL draft. The football team. tackles and tight end coach at the University of Huskies' second tight end, Jeremy Born October 21, 1960, in Washington for five years, is entering his third season Brigham, was drafted by the Oak- Renton, Washington, Mallory and his as the offensive line coach for the Tigers. Mallory land Raiders in the third round. wife, Shannon, have three sons, Ryan, joined the Memphis staff in May of 2000 and was Mallory worked for the Hus- Adam and Cameron. retained by Tommy West as a member of his Tiger kies all of his coaching career. He staff. began his coaching career as a During the 2000 season Mallory was instru- graduate assistant in 1992 and mental in developing a number of young offensive 1993 and was elevated to full- linemen for the Tigers, most notably, Jimond Pugh, time status midway through the who played every snap for the offense in 2000. 1993 season. Former tight end Wade Smith was moved to an Aside from coaching the tack- offensive tackle slot and rapidly moved into a starter's les, tight ends and the kicking game, position under Mallory's tutelage. Mallory served as the liaison for During his tenure at Washington, Mallory worked the alumni association and the Fel- with four players who were selected in the NFL draft. lowship of Christian Athletes. Mallory took over as a full-time coach midway Mallory was a Husky through the 1993 season when Myles Corrigan was tight end himself as a sidelined due to a heart condition. At the time, Mallory freshman and sopho- was working as a graduate assistant for the head coach Jim Lambright. Working with the tight ends, Mallory was fortu-

26 Assistant Coaches

CLAY HELTON three years, including Jeff "Sugar" Sanders, RUNNING BACKS Darche' Epting, Aaron Meadows and Jer- emiah Bonds, all of whom saw regular play- ing time for the Tigers in the fall of 2000. He will add depth to his backfield this fall with the addition of prep All-American running back DeAngelo Williams of Wynne, Arkansas and LSU transfer Derron Parquet. Helton, the son of former head coach Kim Helton, served as the Cougar’s running backs coach for three years, 1997-99. He was responsible in 1997 for the development of All-Conference USA performer Ketric Sanford, who combined with Vaughn Innis to rush for over 1,200 yards. In THE HELTON FILE 1998, Sanford placed second among all C- USA backs in all-purpose yards with 1,530 Personal and rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first Born: Houston, TX time in his career. Birthdate: 6-24-72 A native of Sugarland, Texas, Helton played quarterback for Houston in 1993 and College: Houston (1994) 1994, after transferring from Auburn Univer- Athletics: 4 year football letterman at sity. While playing for the Auburn Tigers in quarterback (Auburn 1991-92) & 1991, Helton received All-Academic South- (Houston, 1993-94) eastern Conference honors. He was voted one of Houston's team captains in 1994. Wife: Angela THE HELTON FAMILY Following graduation from Houston, Children: Reid & Aubrey Helton entered the coaching highest single season total in school history. profession as a member of Helton earned his bachelor's degree in math- Fred Goldsmith's staff at Coaching Experience ematics and interdisciplinary science from Houston in . He Univ. of Memphis (2000-present) 1994. worked as a graduate as- He and his wife, Angela, have two children, Univ. of Houston (1997-99) sistant for Duke in 1995 son Reid, and daughter Aubrey. Duke University (1995-96) and was hired as the Blue Devil's run- ning backs coach Clay Helton, who coached the University of in 1996. While in Houston Cougar running backs for three seasons Durham, North (1997-99), is entering his third year as a member of Carolina, the staff at The University of Memphis. He will again Helton coach the Tiger running backs. helped to Helton was responsible for the rapid develop- developed ment of Tiger senior tailback Dante Brown in 2001. a Duke Brown, a junior college transfer, rushed for over 900 running yards and 12 touchdowns last season. game that A late arrival in the Tiger camp, Helton spent featured numerous hours working with Brown to prepare him Laymarr for the opening game of the 2001 season. Marshall, Brown responded to Helton's tutelage by rush- who tal- ing for the fourth highest single season total in school lied 13 history (902 yards) and setting a new Memphis record touch- for rushing touchdowns in a game with four against downs Houston. His 11 rushing touchdowns tied for the sec- on the ond highest total by a Tiger back in UM football an- sea- nals. son, Helton has been responsible for the develop- the ment of several young running backs over the past sec- ond 27 Assistant Coaches RUSS HUESMAN Prior to his arrival in Memphis, Huesman was signed a football scholarship with UT-Chattanooga, TIGHT ENDS/RECRUITING COORDINATOR charged with leading the William & Mary defense for where he started all four years as a defensive back. 14 seasons. He played under the late for two years In 1997, the William & Mary and competed his final two seasons under . Indians were ranked third in Following graduation in 1982, he spent a the Atlantic 10 Conference in year as a graduate assistant at UT-Chattanooga defense and were the and then moved to the University of South Caro- league's leader in pass effi- lina as a graduate assistant under Morrison. ciency defense. Huesman and his wife, Amy, Huesman's 1996 unit turned in have a son, Jacob and daughters, one of the finest performances ever Natalie and Emily. by a William & Mary defense by finishing the season as the sec- ond-ranked unit in the nation, al- lowing just 231.8 yards per game. That THE HUESMAN FILE defensive Personal squad led the Yankee Confer- Born: Cincinnati, OH ence in total de- Birthdate: 1-28-60 fense and helped College: UT-Chattanooga (1982) power the Indians Athletics: 4 year football letterman at to their first confer- defensive back ence title since 1970. In addition to coordi- Wife: Amy nating the Tribes' defense, Children: Jacob, Natalie & Emily Huesman, a 14-year veteran of the staff, also Coaching Experience coached the William & Mary secondary, a Univ. of Memphis (1998-present) job he took over in William & Mary (1985-97) 1991. In eight sea- Univ. of South Carolina (1983-84) sons under his direc- UT-Chattanooga (1982) tion, the College of William & Mary de- veloped one of the most effective Russ Huesman, who was a member of the backfields in the na- football staff at William & Mary for 14 years and the tion. defensive coordinator for the Indians during the 1996 A native of Cin- and 1997 seasons, is entering his fifth year as a cinnati, Ohio, member of the University of Memphis staff. Huesman played He worked as outside linebacker coach dur- prep football at peren- ing the 1998 season and was switched to tight end nial power coach in the spring of 1999 to help develop the Moeller High School, Tigers' numerous young tight ends. where he lettered for In addition, Huesman serves as the recruiting four years under coordinator for the Tiger staff and has East Tennes- head coach Gerry see and for recruiting areas. The 2002 Faust. Tiger class was ranked as one of the top 50 classes He helped Moeller's in the nation and the number one class in Confer- team compile a record ence USA by Tom Lemming. of 43-0-1 and win a Huesman spent the spring of 2001 working pair of Ohio state with veteran Jeff Cameron and freshman tight end championships. Jason Johnson. Both saw action in every game last An all-city selec- season and are expected to give the Tigers great tion in football as a se- THE HUESMAN FAMILY depth at tight end this fall. nior, Huesman 28 Assistant Coaches RICK WHITT In 2001, the Memphis defense, which had lost DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/ LINEBACKERS five starters from the 2000 squad, was ranked in the middle of the 114 -A schools in most defensive cat- egories but was rated as high as 23rd in the nation in pass interceptions and 33rd in pass efficiency de- fense. A native of Cheran, South Carolina, Whitt served at UT-Chattanooga under Buddy Green from 1994 until 1999. During his tenure at UTC, he worked with the Mocs secondary, the inside linebackers and the running backs and had kicking game re- sponsibilities. A graduate of Catawba College, Whitt en- tered the coaching profession at Central Davidson High School in Lexington, North Carolina, in 1977. As an assistant coach and defensive coordinator, he helped lead the team THE WHITT FILE to a record of 29-6 over a three year span. Whitt left the high school ranks in 1980 Personal and started working with the running backs Born: Radford, VA coach at Clemson in 1980 under head coach Birthdate: 6-8-54 Danny Ford. He took over the Tiger second- College: Catawba College (1976) ary in 1981 and coached the bandits and safe- Athletics: 3 year football letterman at ties in 1982-83. Clemson compiled a record of 36-7-2 during that time, claimed three ACC defensive back championships and appeared in the 1981 Or- Wife: Nancee ange Bowl and won the 1981 National Cham- pionship. In 1984 Whitt left Clemson and joined the staff of at Appalachian State University, Coaching Experience where he worked as outside line- Univ. of Memphis (2000-present) backer coach for five seasons and UT-Chattanooga (1993-99) defensive coordinator four of the Presbyterian College (1992) five years at ASU. The Mountain- North Carolina State (1991) eers were 38-19-2, won two con- ference titles and were ranked University of South Carolina (1989-90) among the nation’s top five in scor- Appalachian State (1984-88) ing defense for three years. When Clemson University (1980-83) Woods was named as South Carolina’s head coach in 1989, Whitt joined the Gamecock’s staff and again worked as defensive Rick Whitt, who has served as defensive coor- coordinator. dinator at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga After short stints at North for five years, is entering his third year at The U of M. Carolina State and Presbyterian He joined the Memphis staff as outside linebacker College, he was hired at UT-Chat- coach on February 24, 2000 and became defen- tanooga and remained there until sive coordinator under Tommy West. deciding to join the Memphis staff. West, who had worked with Whitt prior to Mem- Whitt received his bachelor’s phis, named Whitt as defensive coordinator in the degree in health and physical spring of 2001. education with a minor in science Whitt coached the Tiger outside linebackers from Catawba College in 1976. during the 2000 season and working with West, then Whitt is married to the former the Tigers defensive coordinator, helped lead Mem- Nancee Starr. phis to the number one spot in the nation in rushing defensive in 2000 and the number five ranking in total defense according to NCAA statistics. THE WHITT FAMILY

29 Assistant Coaches TIM KEANE receiver Marvin Lowe and converted him to corner- SAFETIES back. Lowe notched 10 pass breakups, the third highest season total in Kentucky history. Keane’s sec- ondary limited opponents to a completion rate of just 48.8 percent in 1998, marking the first time in nearly ten years that Kentucky held opponents under 50.0 percent passing. A native of Linden, New Jersey, Keane went to Kentucky after coaching the defensive backs at Loui- siana Tech for three seasons, 1994-96. There he helped develop All-America Willie Smith, who led the nation in interceptions in 1995 and also was a two-year All-Big West Conference selection. As a team, Tech improved from 3-8 to 6-5 dur- ing Keane’s three campaigns. Prior to his stay at Louisiana Tech, Keane coached the secondary at Tennessee from 1990 through 1992. Tennessee posted a 27-8-2 record THE KEANE FILE during that time, won the 1990 SEC Championship Personal and played in the Sugar, Fiesta and Hall of Fame Bowls. During the 1990 season, Keane worked with Born: Linden, New Jersey a young running back coach on the Tennessee staff, THE KEANE FAMILY Birthdate: 3-6-45 Tommy West. College: Arkansas State (1967) Safety was a consensus All-Ameri- Athletics: 3 year football letterman at can in 1991 and a two-year All-SEC choice. Cor- turning to ASU to earn a master’s degree in 1973. quarterback nerback Jeremy Lincoln was a first-team All-SEC Keane is married to the former Carolyn Pesce pick in 1991. Both Lincoln and Carter went on to play Wife: Carolyn of Memphis. The couple has five chil- in the NFL. Keane also helped to develop safety dren, Ashley, Ross, Brad, Children: Ashley, Ross, Brad, Brooke, Ben Jason Parker, who was named to the Freshman Brooke and Ben. All-SEC team in 1992. Coaching Experience For 18 seasons prior to coaching at Ten- nessee, Keane coached at his alma mater, Ar- Univ. of Memphis (2002-) kansas State University. He began as receiver Univ. of Kentucky (1997-2000) and quarterback coach in 1972 and moved to Louisiana Tech (1994-96) the secondary in 1974. He later became de- Univ. of Tennessee (1990-92) fensive coordinator and served in that capacity Arkansas State Univ. (1972-89) from 1981 through 1989. Under Keane’s guidance as the coordina- tor, ASU led Division 1-AA in total defense in 1985 and his 1988 unit led Division 1-AA Tim Keane, who served as a member of the in turnover ratio. Arkansas State ad- football staff from 1997 through vanced to the 1-AA playoffs from 2000, has been hired as the defensive secondary 1984-87 and finished as the national coach at The University of Memphis. Keane re- runner-up in 1986. Six of his Ar- places Tim Walton who left the Tigers to join the staff kansas State defensive backs went at Syracuse in February. on to play in the National Football During his tenure at Kentucky, Keane coached League. the from 1997 until 1999 and took over Keane was a three-year the entire secondary during the 2000 season. He letterman at quarterback at Ar- was instrumental in the development of numerous kansas State from 1965-67. young cornerbacks, including Eric Kelly who tied a Following graduation in UK record with 13 pass breakups during the 1999 1968, he began his coaching season and three pass interceptions. Keane also career at the junior high level. took former running back Kenneth Grant and turned He was an assistant football him into a defensive back who started every game in coach at Little Rock High 1999 and recorded seven pass breakups. School in 1970-71 before re- In 1998, the veteran defensive coach took wide

30 Assistant Coaches

TIM BANKS linebacker Robert Douglas. CORNERBACKS Ballard, Harper and Terry all served as starters during the sea- son and all three were ranked among the top ten leading tacklers on the squad. Harper was ranked third with 73 hits. Ballard was fifth with 60 tackles despite playing in just nine games. Terry was eighth with 48 tackles to his credit. Douglas was a member of the Tiger special teams and tal- lied six tackles while working in a reserve role. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Banks played collegiate football for Central Michigan University. He THE BANKS FILE earned four varsity letters and was an All Mid-America Conference in Personal both his junior and senior seasons. Born: Detroit, MI Banks was named the team’s MVP Birthdate: 12-16-71 Defensive Back for two seasons and served as team captain in THE BANKS FAMILY College: Central Michigan (1994) 1994. He led the Chippewas in tack- Athletics: 4 year football letterman at les as a junior and amassed over cornerback 200 tackles and two pass interceptions during his Wife: Robin career. After receiving his B.S. degree in Industrial Man- agement in 1994, Banks entered the coaching pro- Coaching Experience fession as a graduate assistant with the de- Univ. of Memphis (2001-) fensive staff at Bowling Green State. Bowling Green State Univ. (1998-2000) In 1995, he was hired as the de- Ferris State Univ. (1995-97) fensive backs coach at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, Bowling Green State Univ. (1994) and remained with the Bulldogs for two years. During that time, Banks served as the pass game coordina- tor and worked with all phases of the Tim Banks, who coached the defensive backs at special teams. Bowling Green State University during the 2000 In January of 1998, Banks joined season, was hired as the outside linebacker coach the staff at Bowling Green State where for the University of Memphis in 2001. he worked as running backs coach for Banks joined Tommy West’s staff in the spring of one season before being named second- 2001 and coached the Tiger outside linebackers ary coach in 1999. during the 2001 season. Banks, age 30, and his wife, Robin, During the spring of 2002, Banks took over coach- have been married for six years. ing the Tiger cornerbacks, a position he coached at Bowling Green State and Ferris State University. He is entering his second full season as a mem- ber of the Memphis staff and will be responsible for the continued development of Jason Brown, Tristan Thomas, Anthony Harden and Cameron Essex, as well as such noted newcomers as Brian Davis and Olen Whitely. During the 2001 season Banks worked with and helped develop outside linebackers Derrick Ballard, Greg Harper and Coot Terry, as well as young

31 Assistant Coaches CRAIG BOLLER rush defense from 16th in the NFL in 1995 to ninth in mark and a Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference DEFENSIVE LINE 1996. The Cowboys were able to hold seven op- title in 1976 when he served as head coach for ponents to under 100 yards rushing, including four WPC. teams under 65 yards. The improved run defense A three year letterman at Iowa State as a de- helped the Cowboys’ defense maintain the top fensive tackle, Boller was a prep standout at defensive ranking in the NFL throughout much Belmond High School. He was an all- of 1996 before finishing the year as the third state fullback at Belmond High, where ranked defense in the league. he played on three consecutive un- In 1995, Boller started the season as beaten teams. He earned four letters a defensive assistant, working closely with each in football, basketball and track, defensive coordinator Dave Campo. while earning five letters in baseball. He took over the defensive line Boller, who has two daughters, duties in the postseason as the Valerie and Kimberly, is married to the Cowboys marched to the former Jane Lobenstein. Super Bowl XXX title. Dallas’ defensive line THE BOLLER FILE accounted for Personal 12 sacks dur- ing those Born: Belmond, Iowa three games, Birthdate: 1-29-48 the most College: Iowa State University (1970) sacks over a Athletics: 3 year football letterman at three game defensive tackle span for Dal- las since the Wife: Jane first three Children: Valerie, Kimberly games of the 1994 season. Coaching Experience Before joining the University of Memphis (2002-) staff at Dallas (2000) in 1995, Bol- Dallas Cowboys (1995-97) ler spent Iowa State University (1987-94) eight years as Oregon State University (1980-86) the defensive line coach at Iowa State. Prior to coach- ing the Cyclones, Boller was an assistant at Oregon Memphis State University (1978-79) State from 1980-86. He was on the same Beaver’s University of Tennessee (1977) staff with Cowboy defensive coordinator William Penn College (1974-76) Dave Campo, special teams coach and tight ends coach Robert Ford. Craig Boller, who coached the defensive line Boller was a member of the U of M at The University of Memphis in 1978-79 and went (then Memphis State University) staff un- on to coach the defensive line for the 1996 world der Richard Williamson for two seasons, champion Dallas Cowboys, has been hired by head 1978-79. During that period of time he coach Tommy West to again coach the Tiger defen- coached such Tiger linemen as Keith sive front. Boller replaces Joe Cullen, who left Mem- Clark, Rick Ackerman and Stanley Adams, phis in January of 2002. all of whom played in the NFL. Prior to his No stranger to the Mid-South area, Boller left a arrival in Memphis, Boller worked as a two year stint in private business and returned to part-time assistant at Tennessee under Memphis in 2000 to coach the defensive line for the head coach Johnny Majors. Memphis Maniax of the XFL with former Tiger player The Iowa State graduate began his and coach Kippy Brown. coaching career as an assistant coach at A native of Belmond, Iowa, Boller coached the Knoxville High School, 1971-73. He Cowboys defensive front from 1995 through 1997. moved to William Penn College (Iowa) in Working with such noted players as and 1974. The Statesmen posted a 30-3 , Boller helped improve the Dallas record during the time Boller was a mem- THE BOLLER FAMILY ber of the coaching staff, including an 8-2 32 Support Staff JOHN FLOWERS Tiger football team at both home games and road and Brooke. Brittany is the associate manager at DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS contests. He works hand-in-hand with hotel Aeropostale, a retail clothing store in Memphis management in arranging player and staff after attending The University of Memphis. rooms, as well as team meals. Brooke is entering her junior year at The U of During Tiger home games, he can be M after graduating from Bartlett High School in found setting up and hosting the Memphis Memphis, where she was a letter winner for the football recruiting area and entering Lady Panther basketball team. visitors to Liberty Bowl Memorial Sta- dium. Flowers serves as a guest speaker for Tiger football around the Mid-South and often fills in when head coach Tommy West is unavailable. Flowers came to Memphis after serving in the high school coaching ranks for seven years in the state of Illinois. A graduate of Southern Illinois THE FLOWERS FILE University, Flowers played for the Sa- lukis in the 1970s and received his Personal degree from SIU in 1976. Born: Nokomis, IL As a player, Flowers was nomi- Birthdate: 12-7-54 nated for UPI Lineman of the Week after registering 18 tack- College: Southern Illinois (1976) les, six sacks, one pass Athletics: 4 year football letterman at break up and a blocked defensive end & linebacker punt against the Uni- Wife: LuAnn Flowers versity of Northern Children: Brittany & Brooke Illinois. He lettered for four years for the Southern Illinois de- Experience fense. Univ. of Memphis (1985-present) He entered the coaching profession as an assis- Lincoln High School (1978-84) tant coach at Lincoln High School (IL) and became the head coach in 1983. His 1984 squad posted a 9-2-0 record and appeared in the state playoffs. A graduate of John Flowers, who came to Memphis in 1985, Nokomis High is in his 18th season as a member of the football staff. School, Flowers He serves as Tommy West's director of football op- signed with SIU in erations and handles the day-to-day running of the 1973. He lettered for football office. four years as a line- Since his arrival in Memphis, Flowers has backer and received worked under head coaches Rey Dempsey (1984- the Star Lineman 85), Charlie Bailey (1986-88), Chuck Stobart (1989- Award as a senior. 94), Rip Scherer (1995-2000) and Tommy West Flowers was se- (2001-present). lected to the Tri-State Most recently, Flowers has been involved with (Illinois, Kentucky, In- the renovation of Murphy Athletic Complex and the diana) first team. new addition to the complex which includes new Flowers football locker rooms, coaches locker rooms and spends his free time meeting rooms, video rooms, media interview rooms, with his family and as well as new training rooms, equipments rooms hunting, fishing and and locker rooms for other sports. The new addi- playing golf. tion, which began construction in January of 2002, John and his also has a large Hall of Fame area that will highlight wife, LuAnn, have two the careers of numerous Tiger football greats. daughters, Brittany, THE FLOWERS FAMILY Flowers is responsible for the movement of the

33 Support Staff MIKE STARK LEE YERTY KEVIN WHITE HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH GRADUATE ASSISTANT

Mike Stark, who let- Lee Yerty begins his Kevin White, a tered for the Tigers for three fourth season as a fulltime as- former Tiger walk-on football years under former head sistant strength and condi- player and undergraduate coach Billy J. Murphy dur- tioning coach. assistant coach, will be en- ing the late 1960s and early Yerty, who works tering his first season as the 1970s, has returned to the with all sports under the di- offensive graduate assistant University as the head rector of strength and condi- for Tommy West's Tiger foot- strength and conditioning tioning, had served one year ball program. White will as- coach. Stark is entering his third year with the Tiger as an administrative assistant for women's athletics sist the offensive line and will work with coach Rick athletic department. before he was appointed to his new position. Mallory. A native Memphian, Stark comes to The U of M Yerty, a 1986 graduate of Washington State Uni- White came to the University of Memphis in after serving as defensive coordinator and head versity, was the assistant strength coach at WSU 1998 after spending one year at Bethel College. He strength coach at Cordova High School for two years from 1985-90 before accepting the job of marketing lettered as a freshman linebacker at Bethel where (1998-99). In addition, he worked as the head wres- director at Eastern Washington in 1991. Yerty was he registered 87 tackles as a freshman. White spent tling coach for the Wolfpack. elevated to assistant in 1993 before three semesters at the U of M as a player before Prior to joining the staff at Cordova High, Stark becoming the recruiting coordinator for volleyball in deciding on a career in coaching. spent 10 years as the defensive coordinator and 1995. A native of Munford, TN, White lettered for two strength coach at Bartlett High School in Memphis. Yerty is the husband of Carrie Yerty, Memphis' years in football. He was credited with 117 tackles as During his tenure at Bartlett, the Panthers posted a head volleyball coach. They have one son, Weslee, a senior and had three recoveries. Playing 87-39 record, made seven appearances in the state who is four years old. for coach Mark Fisher, White had 202 career stops playoffs and reached the quarterfinals four times. As and three pass interceptions. He was named to the strength coach, his teams won eight City Who's Who Among American High School Students Weightlifting Championships and three Tennessee PAT McLAUGHLIN as a senior at Munford High. Weightlifting Championships. Graduate Assistant White and his wife, Mary, have two sons, Tyler Stark began his coaching and strength career and Tucker. at Trezevant High School in Memphis. From 1983- Pat McLaughlin, 89 the Bears posted an 42-8 record, made the state who quarterbacked the Uni- MIKE MALONE playoffs three times and won a state championship. versity of Dayton football team A 1972 graduate of The University of Memphis to a 6-4 record in 1999, is GRADUATE ASSISTANT (then Memphis State University), Stark played foot- entering his second season ball for the Tigers for four years serv- as a graduate assistant at Mike Malone, who ing as an offensive lineman. He was The University of Memphis. served as the assistant selected to the All-MVC Freshman McLaughlin will work with the strength and conditioning Team in 1968 and received All- Tiger defensive staff this fall. coach at James Madison Uni- Missouri Valley Conference He was hired in September of 2001 as a graduate versity in 2001, has joined the honors for the next three sea- assistant for the strength & conditioning department Memphis staff as a graduate sons. Stark received All-Mid- at The University of Memphis. assistant strength coach un- lands honors as a junior and A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, McLaughlin connected der Mike Stark. senior and was named All- on 62-of-119 pass attempts in '99 for 1,063 yards A graduate of Mount Union College, Malone American by Associated and six touchdowns. In addition, he was the team's played football for Lakeland College (1994-96). He Press, UPI and fourth leading rusher gaining 261 yards on 74 car- has served internships with the , Kickoff Maga- ries. He scored six rushing touchdowns. the , the University of Minne- zine as a se- McLaughlin, who is the nephew of Tiger tight end sota and Iowa State. nior. He re- coach/recruiting coordinator Russ Huesman, di- ceived his rected his Flyer team to wins over such teams as HEATH WEIR master's de- Austin Peay, Drake and San Diego in 1999. For his gree in educa- play, he was voted the recipient of the White-Allen GRADUATE ASSISTANT tion from the U Most Valuable Player Trophy in 1999. He was named Heath Weir, who of M in 1982. first team All-PFL after finishing the season as the served as the assistant Stark and his wife, the former Cindy Whitworth, league's top passer. strength and conditioning have two children, daughter Keelie, age 15, and An education major at Dayton, McLaughlin coach at Arkansas State Uni- son Cody, age 7. prepped at Moeller High School in Cincinnati, where he set a school record for the most career yards versity in 2000, has joined the passing. Memphis staff as a graduate assistant strength coach un- der Mike Stark. 34 Support Staff ED CANTLER MIKE RODRIGUES MARC HOHORST HEAD TRAINER ASSISTANT TRAINER HEAD EQUIPMENT MANAGER

Eddie Cantler is be- Mike Rodrigues, the Marc Hohorst joined the ginning his 32nd season at head trainer for Lady Tiger athletic department the sum- the University of Memphis. basketball, is entering his first mer of 2001 and is entering Head trainer since 1980, season at the University of his second season with the Cantler is in charge of all Memphis, after serving the U of M. He replaced former men's sports with football be- previous four years as an equipment manager Chris ing his primary duty. athletic trainer for the Baptist Williams. Cantler, a native of Rehabilitation program at Hohorst is responsible for Bowling Green, KY, came to Bartlett High School. While at purchasing, issuing, and Memphis in 1970 and received his undergraduate BHS, Rodrigues was responsible for the health care maintaining all athletic equipment, as well as super- degree from The U of M in 1974. for 18 coed varsity sports. vising several student managers. He will also over- Cantler, the host of cable TV's Trainer's Corner During that same period of time, Rodrigues, 34, see the day-to-day operations of the equipment for nine years, was inducted into the Tennessee was the head trainer for the Memphis Maniax of the room at South Campus, which services football, baseball, soccer, track and golf. Athletic Trainer's Hall of Fame in 1996. He was the XFL and handled the daily sports medicine needs of A native of Lafayette, La., Hohorst joins The U of state's Trainer of the Year in 1994 and received the 50 professional football players. M staff from Arkansas State where he was the su- NATA Athletic A 1990 graduate of the , pervisor of equipment for the last three years. Trainer Service Rodrigues served as the head student trainer for the Award in May Prior to his duties at Arkansas State, Hohorst Gators for two years. During that same period of of 1998. He worked for one year at his college alma mater, the time, he worked as a summer intern for the NFL's was also in- University of Louisiana-Lafayette, in a game man- Miami Dolphins. ducted into agement capacity. He worked various ULL events, He enrolled in graduate school at Mississippi the All- serving as the visiting team host and organizing American State University in 1991 and received his Masters of ticket sales and records. Football Science in Exercise Physiology in 1993. He worked Hohorst graduated from the University of South- Foundation with the MSU football program and supervised a staff western Louisiana (now called ULL) in 1997 with a Hall of Fame in of 10 student trainers. Rodrigues also did an intern- degree in physical education. He received his Loui- 2001. ship with the Phoenix Cardinals of the NFL while siana teaching certification that same year and Cantler, who attending MSU. served as a substitute teacher in 1997 and 1998 at enjoys sing- Following graduation from Mississippi State, Youngsville Middle School. ing, re- Rodrigues was hired as an assistant trainer at the While at USL, Hohorst also assisted in the equip- ceived United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, ment room as a student and worked both the NCAA his and worked there for one year before returning to softball regional tournament and the Sunbelt Con- Mississippi State as an assistant trainer. ference baseball tournament From 1993 through 1997 he worked with the as a tournament official. He men's football program and took over the responsi- spent one year with the bilities for the women's soccer, softball and tennis Lafayette Swamp Cats as the programs in 1997. head A native of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Rodrigues has equip- worked the NCAA Women's East Regional Basket- ment ball Tournament, an NCAA Women's Tennis Na- manager tional Championship, three NCAA before Regional Baseball Tournaments, the master's degree in health education from The U of M the team SEC Outdoor Track & Field in August of 1977. disbanded. Championship, the AXA Lib- In addition to his duties as head athletic trainer, Cantler serves as an instructor of health for The erty Bowl, the Conference University of Memphis. USA Men's Basketball Tour- Cantler and his wife, Jenina, who received her nament and the Adidas ESP doctorate degree from the University of Memphis and Soccer Camp. teaches in the Math Department, have two children, Mike is married to Andrew, age 14, and Michael, age 13. Memphis associate me- Cantler is also in his first year as the director of dia relations director Music Ministries at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Jennifer Rod- Memphis. He served in the same capacity at rigues. Underwood Methodist Church in Memphis for sev- eral years.

35 Support Staff

JOEL BARON VIDEOGRAPHER Joel Baron, who joined the athletic department staff at The University of TigerTiger PridePride Memphis in February of 2001 as the video coordina- tor, is in his second full foot- The University of Memphis Tiger Pride are a the campus and its activities and they enjoy sharing ball season with the Tigers. group of coeds who provide valuable assistance for that information with others." He replaced Bill Sisler who the Tiger football program in recruiting and addition- Schwartz, who has been with The University of left the school in August of 2000 to fill a similar position ally serve as ambassadors for the Athletic Depart- Memphis athletic department for three years, is in at UMass. ment. her second year as the sponsor of the Tiger Pride. Baron, a native of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, The Tiger Pride members are responsible for She works as the recruiting secretary for the football. attended North Penn High School in Lansdale (PA), giving walking tours of The U of M campus to re- "I can't say enough about Sherri and the Tiger before enrolling at Millersville University in cruits and their families during the national recruiting Pride," said Tiger head football coach Tommy West Millersville, Pa. Baron worked as the video coordi- period. They answer questions about classes, class "They can offer a pro- nator for the Millersville football program for four years size, residents life and dorm activities for the families spective student-ath- Sherri Schwartz and was responsible for shooting and editing all of of prospective student-athletes. lete information about the Marauder’s football tapes. He received his B.S. During Homecoming week and Senior Parent campus life that they degree in Communications from MU in 1999. Day the Tiger Pride members are responsible for see as students on an During Baron’s tenure, Millersville University decorating the Memphis locker room at South Cam- everyday basis. It's won the PSAC championship in 1998 and were pus and the dorm. invaluable to our pro- Division II quarterfinalists in 1999. In addition to working with football, the Tiger gram. These young In addition to his duties at Millersville, he served Pride have served as hostesses for the athletic de- ladies are truly am- as a video intern with the Philadelphia Eagles of the partment at events held at Liberty Bowl Memorial bassadors for this in- NFL in 1998. Stadium and at The Pyramid. stitution and a vital of "These young ladies are dedicated to The our football program." University of Memphis and are giving of their time to let others know how enjoyable the college experi- StudentStudent VideographersVideographers ence can be at The U of M," said Sherri Schwartz, the campus sponsor of the Tiger Pride. "These 30 young ladies have a strong working knowledge of

Paul Briggs, Jr. Kevin Hooper

Josh Norman

The 2001-02 Tiger Pride

36