Southern Conference

Head Coach Chris Hatcher...... 4 Sports Feature...... 32 NCAA Compliance...... 60 Assistant Coaches...... 7 Athlete Q&A ...... 33 Bulldog Club...... 62 Football Support Staff...... 14 Fall Sports Schedules ...... 34 Samford University...... 64 Returning Players...... 16 Seibert Stadium...... 38 Athletics Facilities...... 66 Signees...... 22 Cooney Family Field House . . . . . 42 Southern Conference...... 68 Today’s Game...... 25 Academic Enhancement Program. . . 48 National Honors...... 70 Around the SoCon...... 26 Andrew Westmoreland...... 50 Cheerleaders/Dance/Band...... 72 Football Feature...... 27 Martin Newton...... 52 Players in the NFL...... 73 Rosters...... 28 Athletics Administration...... 54 Year-by-Year Records ...... 74 Depth Charts...... 30 Head Coaches...... 56 Team Records ...... 76 Opponent ...... 31 Assistant Coaches/Staff...... 58 Individual Records ...... 78

Editor: Joey Mullins Senior Graphic Designer: Scott Camp Director of Creative Operations: Janica York Carter Editorial Assistant: Julie Beckwith Contributors: Herb Brooks, Sam Chandler, Andy Dawson, Mike Grace, Bo Kerr, Zac Schrieber Photographers: Caroline Summers, Rebecca Long, Jimmy Mitchell, David Johnson, Beth Hall

Produced by Samford Office of Marketing and Communication with road games at VMI (Oct. 10), Wofford student-athlete biographies, plus team (Nov. 14) and Mercer (Nov. 21). rosters, statistics, schedules, game notes, ESPN3 is available in approximately 75 results and video, the most comprehensive million homes to fans who receive their coverage of the Bulldogs can always be Internet connection from an affiliated service found online at samfordsports.com. A division of Samford Athletics, Samford provider. The network also can be accessed Sports Properties manages media rights and at no cost by 21 million U.S. college sponsorship opportunities. Under the students and U.S.-based military personnel. direction of Senior Associate Director of ESPN3 programming is also available to Athletics for Development Bo Kerr, Samford subscribers through Xbox LIVE and through Sports Properties is responsible for revenue the free WatchESPN app. generation through corporate sponsorships. The American Sport Network consists of Samford Sports Properties provides commercial TV stations owned by the sponsors with a single source for multi- Sinclair Broadcast Group and reaches close platform sponsorship opportunities across to 40 percent of all TV households in the all of Samford athletics. For more infor United States with 167 stations in 77 mation, contact Bo Kerr at jkerr@samford. markets. A full list of ASN affiliates will be SOCON DIGITAL NETWORK edu or 205-726-2139. announced each week. A free, league-wide digital network available on smartphones, tablets, laptops SOCIAL MEDIA RADIO and PCs begins its second year in the fall of Samford fans can keep up with the Bulldogs Samford football can be heard on 2015. Fans can access live audio and video 24/7 through the following social media Samford’s own WVSU-FM 91.1 and of select football, soccer, volleyball, men’s outlets: samford.edu/wvsu, or the TuneIn app on and women’s basketball, baseball, and most mobile devices. softball games. Fans also can gain access Mike Grace returns for his ninth year as to live and executive producer of the Samford Sports on-demand audio Network and “Voice of the Bulldogs.” An and video of select expanded Bulldog broadcast crew for 2015 game highlights, also includes long-time voice of the press conferences, Birmingham Barons and returning play-by- features and exclusive interviews found only play announcer for Samford women’s on the SoCon Digital Network. To catch all basketball Curt Bloom, former Ole Miss of the exciting action, just look for the SDN Rebel football player Chad Pilcher, former link at samfordsports.com. facebook.com/SamfordSports Bulldog quarterback Ben Neill, and Samford students Blake Gardner, Caroline Saunders twitter.com/samford_sports and Chris Griesedieck. youtube.com/samfordsportsnetwork Grace, Plicher and Bloom are the instagram.com/samfordsports game-day radio crew for Samford’s five road games and the Sept. 19 Southern VIDEO ON ASN AND ESPN3 Conference showdown with Chattanooga. For the remaining five home contests, Bloom and Neill call the action on radio, with Grace and Pilcher in the ESPN3

Nine of the team’s 11 regular-season contests will be broadcast live, thanks to agreements with the American Sports Network and ESPN3. Samford’s home game against Chattanooga Sept. 19 will air on the American Sports Network. The remaining home games and a trio of road games will broadcast booth. Saunders provides sideline all air on ESPN3. reports for both broadcasts. Gardner and Thanks to a groundbreaking on-cam- Griesedieck serve as studio hosts for all 11 pus broadcast program utilizing Samford broadcasts on WVSU. staff, students and local broadcast profes- sionals, the Chris Hatcher era for Bulldog INTERNET football will debut on ESPN3 Sept. 3 as the The official website of Samford University Bears of Central Arkansas visit Seibert athletics is samfordsports.com. A partner- Stadium. Subsequent home match-ups ship of Samford Athletics and SideArm against Florida A&M (Sept. 12), The Citadel Sports, the Internet home of the Bulldogs is (Oct. 17), Furman (Oct. 31) and a home- full of the most up-to-date information on coming contest against Clark Atlanta (Nov. Samford football and Samford’s 16 other 7) will all be broadcast on ESPN3, along varsity sports. With news stories, coach and

2 3 BULLDOGS HEAD COACH CHRIS HATCHER hris Hatcher was named Samford’s straight victories at No. 5 Appalachian State, 36th head football coach on Dec. 11, ending the Mountaineers’ 30-game home 2014. He boasts a career record of winning streak, at home against No. 25 The 121-57C in 15 years as a head coach at Citadel and at No. 10 Wofford. Murray State, Georgia Southern and Valdosta The prolific offense ranked first in State. rushing, eighth in total offense, eighth in Hatcher comes to Samford after serving scoring offense and 23rd in sacks allowed. as the head coach at Murray State since The defense was 14th in turnover margin and 2010. In five seasons, his teams employed the 17th in fumbles recovered, while special high-powered “Hatch Attack” offense to top teams ranked 25th in net punting. the Division I-FCS football charts. In 2014, The 2008 season saw Hatcher guide the Racers ranked second in the nation in the Eagles to the program’s 25th winning passing offense, averaging 327.2 yards per season in 27 years. game. The team also ranked 15th in total In late October, the Eagles set an offense at 468.3 yards per contest. NCAA record for the largest fourth-quarter Murray State used a balanced attack in comeback as GSU erased a 31-3 deficit for a 2013. The Racers rushed the ball 424 times, 38-31 overtime victory at Western Carolina. throwing it 458 and averaging 398.6 yards of The contest was the first of an NCAA-record offense. The offense was spearheaded by four overtime games played by the Eagles in All-America wide receiver Walter Powell, who 2008. hauled in 66 passes for 837 yards and 13 Chris Hatcher Hatcher’s team provided impressive numbers touchdowns in 10 games. in all three phases. The offense ranked 20th The 2012 Murray State offense led the Ohio Valley nationally in passing and scoring, while the defense ranked 26th Conference for the third straight season. The Racers averaged a in sacks and 22nd in tackles-for-loss. The special teams units school-record 484.4 yards of offense per game and set a new finished 14th in punt returns and 36th in kickoff returns. single-season record by averaging 348.9 yards through the air. All of this was done as Hatcher and his staff were forced to The 2011 season saw the Racers go 7-4 and post back-to- play close to 30 freshmen on a consistent basis throughout the back winning seasons for the first time since the 1999–2000 season. In all, five Eagles received All-SoCon honors, and seven seasons. Murray State won five of its final six games, including freshman representing offense, defense and special teams were going on the road and knocking off nationally ranked Tennessee named to the inaugural SoCon All-Freshman Team. Tech. Prior to his time at GSU, Hatcher molded Valdosta State into The Racer offense was among the most prolific in the nation. one of the most dominant teams in Division II. It ranked third in scoring offense, fourth in total offense and The winningest coach in Blazers’ history, Hatcher was 76-12 seventh in passing offense. The 5,070 yards of total offense at his alma mater. In his first year, he took a 4-7 squad from the marked the fifth time in school history that Murray State amassed previous year and produced a 10-2 overall record (8-1 in GSC more than 5,000 yards; the 460.9 yards per game were the action) and a berth in the Division II playoffs. He coached third most all time. The Racers also rushed for 152.27 yards per quarterback Dusty Bonner, who was a two-time winner of the game. Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year, an The Racers recorded their first shutout in seven years with a award Hatcher won in 1994. 39-0 victory over Mississippi Valley State. It marked the first Hatcher’s 2001 and 2002 teams posted back-to-back shutout on the road since 1986 and the first nonconference road undefeated records during the regular season, part of a Gulf shutout since 1979. South Conference–record 35 straight victories during the regular In 2010, the Racer offense led the OVC in passing offense, season. total offense and scoring offense, while ranking fourth nationally During the 2004 championship season, the Blazers lost their in passing offense, fifth in total offense and fifth in scoring season opener before rattling off 13 consecutive victories, offense. capped by a 36-31 victory over Pittsburg State in the title game. In his first season with the Georgia Southern in 2007, Hatcher was named National Coach of the Year by the Hatcher led the Eagles to the second-best regular season American Football Coaches Association and was the offensive turnaround in program history, a plus-4 improvement from coordinator for the East squad at the Hula Bowl. 2006. The Eagles ranked among the national leaders in various In 2005, Valdosta opened the season ranked No. 1 for four categories on offense, defense and special teams. Hatcher straight weeks and saw the season culminate with a sixth-straight coached five All-America players, including quarterback Jayson NCAA postseason appearance. Despite an 8-2 record in 2006, Foster, the second Walter Payton Award winner at GSU. the 10th-ranked Blazers did not receive an invitation to the The Eagles returned to the national rankings after a 14- playoffs, marking the first time that occurred in the Hatcher era. week hiatus as the Hatcher era got off to a 4-1 start. GSU The 2006 team finished sixth nationally in passing offense climbed as high as No. 11, after the Eagles recorded three (283 yards per game), 12th in scoring offense (34.9 ppg) and

4 5 THE HATCHER FILE COACHING EXPERIENCE 2015–present Head Coach, Samford University 2010–14 Head Coach, Murray State University 2007–09 Head Coach, Georgia Southern University 2000–06 Head Coach, Valdosta State University 1999 Assistant Coach, Quarterbacks/Receivers, University of Kentucky 1997–98 Graduate Assistant, Quarterbacks, University of Kentucky 1996 Assistant Coach, Quarterbacks/Tight Ends, University of Central Florida The Hatchers 1995 Volunteer Assistant, Quarterbacks, Valdosta State 19th in total offense (389.9 ypg). The defense ranked 27th nationally in University scoring defense (15.7 ppg) while special teams ranked third in punt returns (17.3 ypr) and blocked seven kicks. PLAYING EXPERIENCE The Macon, Ga., native spent one year as quarterbacks/tight ends 1991–94 Valdosta State University coach at the University of Central Florida, where he worked with future NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Hatcher then spent three years working with EDUCATION the quarterbacks at the University of Kentucky, where he worked under 1995 B.S., health and physical former VSU head coach Hal Mumme. He coached the No. 1 NFL draft education, Valdosta State pick, All-America quarterback Tim Couch. University The Wildcats played in the 1999 Outback Bowl, the program’s first New Year’s Day Bowl in 47 years, and followed that with a berth in the ’99 PERSONAL Music City Bowl. It marked the first time the Wildcats had consecutive bowl Born Feb. 18, 1973 appearances in 15 years. Hometown Macon, Ga. A two-time All-American quarterback at VSU (1993 and 1994), High School Mount de Sales Academy Hatcher threw for 11,363 yards and 121 touchdowns during his career. Wife Lori During his senior year in 1994, he led the Blazers to their first postseason Children Ty, Talley berth, advancing to the quarterfinals. He set 29 VSU passing and total offense records. AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Among the national records he once set are a 68.5 career completion • Inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame in percentage and 20 straight completions in a game against New Haven. 2005 Hatcher has held 14 Valdosta State, 13 Gulf South Conference and 17 • Inducted into the Gulf South Conference Division II national records. He also started 41 consecutive games, posting Hall of Fame in 2014 a 29-10-2 record. • 2004 American Football Coaches Hatcher was just as successful in the classroom. Twice he received the Association National Coach of the Year Gulf South Conference’s Commissioner’s Trophy, which is awarded to the • Led Valdosta State to the 2004 Division II league’s most outstanding student-athlete. He finished his senior year by National Championship winning several national honors including the NCAA Top Eight Award, the • Four-time Atlanta Touchdown Club Coach of CoSIDA Academic All-America National Player of the Year, and a post the Year graduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College • 1994 CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Football Hall of Fame. Year Hatcher won the Harlon Hill Trophy by the second-largest voting margin • Led teams to six playoff appearances, in the then-19-year history of the award. He was also voted to the GSC including two appearances in the National Football Team of the 1990s. Championship game The honors continued to add up. Hatcher was named to the Valdosta • Served as the offensive coordinator for the State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 in his first year of eligibility. He East squad in the 2004 Hula Bowl was elected into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame the same year. In 2005, • 1994 recipient of the Harlon Hill Trophy Hatcher was inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame. He was inducted into (Division II Heisman) the inaugural class of the GSC Hall of Fame in 2014. • Two-time All-American quarterback at Hatcher graduated from Valdosta State in 1995 with a bachelor’s Valdosta State (1993–94) degree in health and physical education. He and his wife, Lori, also a • Set 29 passing records as the quarterback at graduate of VSU, are the parents of a son, Ty, and a daughter, Talley. Valdosta State

6 Bill D’Ottavio ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

ill Corey White was selected in the fifth helped Millersville to a 15-5 record over D’Ottavio round by the New Orleans Saints. those two seasons, and the team won is in his In 2009, D’Ottavio’s defense the 1998 Pennsylvania State Athletic ninthB season as ranked in the top 20 in the nation in Conference Eastern Division Samford’s total defense, scoring defense, sacks and championship. defensive tackles for a loss. D’Ottavio worked at Middle coordinator and his fifth as assistant In 2008, D’Ottavio produced one of Tennessee State University [MTSU] in head coach. Samford’s strongest defenses. The 1995 and 1996. He coached the D’Ottavio’s defenses have produced Bulldogs led the Southern Conference in secondary and assisted with the special three National Football League draft scoring defense, total defense, rushing teams, specifically on kickoff coverage. picks, including the two highest NFL defense, opponent first downs and Prior to his time at MTSU, D’Ottavio Draft picks in program history. Corner- turnover margin. served on the coaching staff at Indiana back Corey White was drafted by the D’Ottavio came to Samford from University of Pennsylvania from 1989 to New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of Tulane University, where he served as 1994. He coached the secondary from the 2012 draft, while defensive lineman assistant head coach from 2004 to 1989 to 1992, and was promoted to Nick Williams was taken in the seventh 2006. He coached cornerbacks. In defensive coordinator in 1993. He round of the 2013 draft. In 2015, safety 2005, the Green Wave ranked first in coached the defensive line while coordi- Jaquiski Tartt became the highest NFL Conference USA in pass defense. nating the defense in 1993 and 1994. draft pick in school history when the San D’Ottavio served on the coaching D’Ottavio helped lead the team to a Francisco 49ers selected him in the staff at the University of Central Florida 65-11-1 record, five appearances in the second round of the draft. [UCF] from 1999 to 2003. He coached NCAA semifinals and two appearances In 2014, Samford’s defense led the linebackers, and served as the team’s in the NCAA finals. country in fewest passing yards allowed defensive coordinator in 2002 and D’Ottavio served as a graduate per game. The unit also led the Southern 2003. In 2000, the UCF defense ranked assistant at the University of Pittsburgh in Conference and ranked seventh nation- sixth in the nation in sacks and tied for 1987 and 1988. He began his coaching ally in opponent pass efficiency. 10th in the nation in turnovers gained. career as a student assistant at D’Ottavio’s 2012 defense led the From 1997 to 1998, D’Ottavio Millersville in 1985, and he served the Southern Conference in interceptions served as defensive coordinator and school as a graduate assistant in 1986. with 14. The unit also produced linebackers coach at his alma mater, A native of Roxbury, N.J., D’Ottavio is a Samford’s highest NFL Draft pick when Millersville University in Pennsylvania. He 1986 graduate of Millersville. Travis Trickett OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS

ravis Andy Summerlin during his record- Ponder and E. J. Manuel. Trickett is breaking senior season. Summerlin, who In 2007, Trickett worked as an in his fifth was named the Southern Conference’s offensive graduate assistant on Nick seasonT on the Offensive Player of the Year, set school Saban’s staff at Alabama. He worked staff and his records for passing yards in a game with quarterbacks John Parker Wilson fourth as offensive (495 vs. Georgia Southern) and passing and Greg McElroy. coordinator. After working with the tight yards in a season (3,640). The son of FSU offensive line coach ends and slot receivers in 2011, Trickett In Trickett’s first season coaching Rick Trickett, he began his coaching began working with the quarterbacks in quarterbacks, the Bulldogs finished third career as a student assistant at West 2012. in the Southern Conference in Virginia University, working under Head During the 2014 season, Trickett led passing offense, and Summerlin ranked Coach Rich Rodriguez. As part of his an offense that averaged over 30 points third in the league in passing. duties with the Mountaineers, Trickett per game, marking the second straight In 2011, Trickett assisted with a worked with quarterback Pat White. year the team has improved in scoring much-improved offense from the Trickett graduated from West offense. The Bulldogs averaged 217.9 previous season. He tutored tight end Virginia in 2007 with a bachelor’s passing yards per game and 399.3 Zeke Walters, who caught 11 passes for degree in business administration and yards of total offense per game. The 153 yards in his first season. marketing. He also earned a master’s offense also posted the program’s Trickett came to Samford after degree from Florida State in sports largest margin of victory in a SoCon working as a graduate assistant at administration in 2009. game (45-0 at Furman) and the pro- Florida State since May of 2008, Trickett and his wife, Tiffany, have a gram’s most points scored in a SoCon working on the staffs of both Bobby son, Maverick, 1. game (63 vs. VMI). Bowden and Jimbo Fisher. While at FSU, In 2013, he mentored quarterback he helped coach quarterbacks Christian

7 Jeff Beckles ASSISTANT COACH/RUNNING BACKS

eff Beckles Prior to his time at Troy, Beckles 1998. He broke into the college ranks in is in his first coached running backs at Central 1999, coaching running backs at season on Michigan University from 2007 to 2009. Nicholls State. He spent two seasons Jthe staff. He Beckles, who also coached receivers there before moving to South Florida, coaches the at CMU during 2003, returned to CMU where he worked with the receivers and running backs. He following one season as an assistant at running backs as a graduate assistant in has coached the running backs at Troy Georgia Southern. He coached the 2001. University since 2010. Eagles’ receivers and served as recruit- Beckles earned a bachelor’s degree In his first season with the Trojans, ing coordinator for the 2006 season. in social science education from Florida Beckles worked with talented runners In 2002, Beckles was part of a State University in 1994 and a master’s DuJuan Harris and Shawn Southward. coaching staff that led the Georgia degree in sport management from The duo combined to rush for more than Bulldogs to a 13-1 record and 26-13 Georgia in 2005. He was a wide 2,000 yards and helped Troy to a New win over Florida State in the Sugar Bowl. receiver on Florida State teams that won Orleans Bowl championship. The 2004 squad finished 10-2 and five consecutive bowl games, the Beckles was charged with rebuilding defeated Wisconsin in the Outback program’s first Atlantic Coast Confer- the running game in 2012. Southward Bowl. The 2005 team was 10-3 and ence championship under Head Coach became the seventh Troy player to top played in the Sugar Bowl against West Bobby Bowden and a national title in the 1,000-yard threshold after rushing Virginia. Beckles was a graduate 1993. He was part of a Seminoles for 1,012 yards on 194 carries. South- assistant working with the wide receivers recruiting class that included Heisman ward was named to the All-Sun Belt during each of those seasons. He was a Trophy winner Charlie Ward as well as second team. part of two SEC Championship teams Terrell Buckley. In four seasons at Florida In 2011, Beckles tutored running (2002 and 2005) while on staff. State, he played in the Sugar, Fiesta, backs Southward, D. J. Taylor and Chris Beckles began his coaching career Orange and Cotton Bowls. Anderson, who combined to rush for by working at four high schools in 1,140 yards and 11 touchdowns. Florida and Georgia from 1994 to Shawn Bostick ASSISTANT COACH/OFFENSIVE LINE

hawn 3,838 through the air. The 2011 coaching staff, leading Valdosta State to Bostick is in offensive line had four players start at its first-ever playoff appearance. his first least 10 games. As a unit, they helped In 1996, he worked with the running seasonS on the the Racer offense accumulate 5,070 backs as the Blazers won their first staff. He coaches yards of total offense, marking just the conference championship. During the the offensive line. fourth time it has happened in school 1997 campaign, he served as a gradu- Bostick comes to Samford after spending history. ate assistant coach under Mike Kelley, the last five years on Head Coach Chris Bostick came to MSU after serving returning to the offensive line. The next Hatcher’s staff at Murray State. as the offensive line coach at Georgia season, he moved into his first full-time In his first season with the Racers, Southern for three seasons. coaching position and worked with the Bostick took an offensive line that was His arrival in Statesboro, Ga., ended offensive line. considered a work in progress, and an 18-year affiliation with Valdosta State Bostick played at Valdosta State turned it into one of the top offensive as both a player and assistant coach. from 1991 to 1993, starting as a lines in the OVC. Bostick served as assistant head coach in walk-on but eventually earning a The offensive line helped produce charge of the offensive line for eight scholarship. He received his bachelor’s one of the nation’s most balanced years at VSU. His offensive line was part degree in education from Valdosta in attacks in 2013. The Racers rushed for of one of the most productive offensive 1997. 1,886 yards, the most in nearly a units in Division II. He and his wife, Sheila, have a decade. The team rushed for more than Bostick was part of the 2004 daughter, Emma, and a son, Walker. 200 yards in four games, including National Championship team and the rushing for 296 yards in an overtime national runner-up in 2002. victory at Jacksonville State. During 1994–95, he worked as a The 2012 offensive line amassed student assistant coach under Hal 5,328 yards of total offense, including Mumme. Bostick was part of the 1994

8 Victor Cabral ASSISTANT COACH/DEFENSIVE LINE

ictor teams coordinator for the Bulldogs. In Southern Eagles. During the winter and Cabral is 2007, the GMC defensive unit earned a spring of 2006, he assisted with the in his first #1 ranking in rushing defense in the defensive line, including the preparation seasonV on the NJCAA. The next season, the Bulldogs of daily practice plans and on-field staff. He coaches ranked third nationally in total defense. evaluation and coaching. the defensive line. The Bulldogs also had several Cabral was the 24th overall draft Cabral spent the 2014 season as individuals earn national accolades. pick by the Montreal Alouettes in 2005. the director of player personnel at his Leroy Burgess was selected as a third- A four-year Georgia Southern starter alma mater, Georgia Southern. From team NJCAA All-American, and in 2008, and letterwinner, Cabral was part of the 2010 to 2013, he served as the defen- Torrey Ball earned second-team All- winning tradition that included the 2000 sive line coach. Cabral worked with America honors. National Championship, two NCAA several stand-out players during his time Under the tutelage of Cabral, semifinal playoff appearances and four at GSU, including four-time All-American Markeith Wylie was recognized as conference titles during his career. and 2011 Southern Conference Defen- first-team Academic All-American in The former team captain earned his sive Player of the Year Brent Russell, who 2007. Thirteen GMC players coached bachelor of arts degree from Georgia became the Eagles’ career sacks leader by Cabral received scholarships to Southern in May 2006 and graduated in 2012. NCAA Division I programs during his with his master’s degree in May 2013. Cabral spent three years as defen- three seasons in Milledgeville. Cabral and his wife, Erin, have a son, sive line coach at Georgia Military In 2005, Cabral coordinated video Zac. College, where he also served as special and quality control for the Georgia

Russ Callaway ASSISTANT COACH/WIDE RECEIVERS

uss Callaway mentored freshman Jesse team to the school’s second national Callaway is Blackburn into one of the top pass championship. in his first catchers in the OVC. Blackburn got After his playing career was cut short seasonR on the stronger as the season went on, and by injury, Callaway spent his final year staff. He coaches ended the year with nine catches for 170 working with the quarterbacks as a wide receivers. and a pair of touchdowns in the Racers’ student assistant. Callaway spent two seasons on Head victory over Eastern Kentucky. Callaway graduated from VSU in Coach Chris Hatcher’s staff at Murray Callaway joined the Racers after 2010 with a degree in business man- State. At MSU, Callaway worked with the winning back-to-back BCS National agement. His father, Neil, is the offensive wide receivers and served as recruiting Championships as a defensive analyst line coach at Western Kentucky. coordinator. on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama. He Callaway and his wife, Taylor, have In his first season with the Racers, assisted defensive coordinator Kirby a daughter, Maris Faye. Callaway mentored a group that saw Smart with the inside linebackers. The seven receivers catch at least 15 passes Tide defense posted four shutouts and and combine for 20 touchdowns. The held six opponents to 10 points or less. group was anchored by All-American As a unit, they led the country in rush Walter Powell, who caught 66 passes for defense (76.36), total defense (250.00) 837 yards and 13 touchdowns in 10 and scoring defense (10.93). games. Sophomores Jeremy Harness and Callaway was a quarterback at Paul Rice also had breakout seasons. IN Valdosta State. He was a two-time 2014, Harness hauled in 40 passes after captain and had his most productive catching just 13 the season before. Rice season in 2009 when he went 26 for 45 had 32 catches in 2013 after catching for 350 yards and three touchdowns. He only one pass as a freshman. joined the Blazers in 2007, helping the

9 Trent McKnight ASSISTANT COACH/TIGHT ENDS/SLOT RECEIVERS

rent McK- while working on his bachelor’s degree He served as a recruiting intern at night is in his from 2008 to 2010. He worked with the the University of Alabama from fourth year safeties in 2008 and 2009, and the December 2007 to January 2008. He Ton the staff. He linebackers in 2010. He also helped out assisted with the evaluation process for coaches the tight ends and slot receivers. with the running backs during the spring prospective student-athletes for the In 2014, McKnight coached the of 2010. Crimson Tide. wide receivers, including first-team During his previous stint with the McKnight earned a bachelor’s All-SoCon wide receiver Karel Hamilton, Samford staff, McKnight was responsible degree in business administration and who led the team with 55 catches for for the scout team offense and special management from Samford in 2010. He 877 yards and six touchdowns. teams. He was in charge of film break- played on the Samford team as a safety, In 2012, tight end Tony Philpot was down and self-scout analysis, and he while also contributing on special teams named to the 2012 SoCon All-Freshman assisted with scouting reports, playbooks in 2006 and 2007. team. Zeke Walters earned All-Confer- and teaching tapes. He also assisted McKnight’s wife, Ashley, is also a ence recognition in 2013. with on-campus recruiting. Samford graduate. McKnight came to Samford after From January to November of working as wide receivers coach at 2008, McKnight coached the Georgia Military College. He also cornerbacks at Oak Mountain High recruited the states of Alabama, Georgia School. He also coached the kickoff and Florida for GMC. coverage team, and he assisted with McKnight worked as a student game-planning, film breakdown and assistant for the defense at Samford scouting reports. Ross Newton ASSISTANT COACH/LINEBACKERS/DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING

oss defense, scoring defense, sacks and 2004 with a B.A. in history with a minor Newton is tackles for a loss. Also, Clay was named in political science. He has worked in his tenth second-team All-Conference by both the toward a master’s degree in education seasonR as an league coaches and media at the at UAB. He is married to the former assistant coach. conclusion of the season. In 2008, Allison Lyn Swartz, a fellow Samford He is in his fifth season coaching the defensive lineman Patrick Hatcher was graduate, and they have two sons, linebackers after working with the named to the Southern Conference Thomas and William. defensive line for his first five years on Media Association’s All-Conference the staff. He is also in his fourth season team. as Samford’s director of recruiting. Overall, the Samford defense led Coached by Newton, Justin Cooper the Southern Conference in scoring led the team and ranked fourth in the defense, total defense and rushing Southern Conference with 93 tackles, defense in 2008. including 73 solo stops in 2014. Newton came to Samford in 2006 Under Newton’s guidance, senior after spending the previous season as a linebacker Justin Shade was named the graduate assistant coach for defense at Southern Conference’s Defensive Player the University of Alabama at of the Year in 2013. Birmingham. In 2011 and 2012, Newton Newton was a member of the coached a group of experienced Samford football team from 2000 to linebackers that was one of the strengths 2003. He registered 143 tackles and of the Bulldogs’ defense. eight sacks. He was selected a team Under Newton’s tutelage, the captain in his senior year in 2003. Samford defensive line saw great As a senior, he also won the Kenny improvement. In 2010, defensive Morgan Leadership Award. linemen Alex Davis and John Michael A native of Homewood, Newton Clay were named to the All-Conference played high school football for his teams for the Southern Conference. father, Bob Newton, at Homewood High In 2009, Samford’s defense ranked School. in the top 20 in the nation in total Newton graduated from Samford in

10 Sam Shade ASSISTANT COACH/DEFENSIVE BACKS

am Shade Shade came to Samford after having community service accomplishment. is in his served as a volunteer coach at In the summers of 2000 to 2005, he seventh Briarwood Christian School since 2004. held youth football camps in Washington seasonS as an He coached the defensive backs, helping and Birmingham. He also worked as a assistant coach. lead the team to a 5A state runner-up color commentator for the NBC Network He has coachee the cornerbacks and, in finish and a 14-1 overall record. At from 2003 to 2004. 2014, was put in charge of special Briarwod, he coached former Samford Shade played college football at the teams and was name defensive passing player Will Tumlin and Furman player University of Alabama from 1991 to game coordinator. Matthew Gordon. 1994. He was a member of the 1992 Shade’s 2014 secondary led the Shade played in the National national championship team, and he nation in passing yards allowed per Football League from 1995 to 2003. He was named a permanent captain as a game (139.1 ypg). The unit also led the played for the Cincinnati Bengals from senior in 1994. He was drafted by the Southern Conference and ranked 1995 to 1999. He led the Bengals in Bengals in the fourth round of the 1995 seventh nationally in pass efficiency tackles in 1997 and was second in the NFL Draft. defense. (101.96). category in 1998. For his last two A Birmingham native, Shade Individually, James Bradberry earned seasons, his defensive coordinator was attended Wenonah High School and was All-SoCon honors following the 2014 NFL Hall of Fame Coach Dick LeBeau. a Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete Award season and has been named a pre- Shade played for the Washington winner following his senior year. season All-American. Punter Greg Redskins from 1999 to 2003 for three Shade and his wife, Jacquetta, have Peranich was also named All-SoCon head coaches: Norv Turner, Marty four children: sons Justin and Jacoby, following the 2014 season. Shottenheimer and Steve Spurrier. He and daughters Jaila and Jamyia. Justin In 2011, Shade worked with a also played for three defensive coordi recently graduated from Samford after secondary that ranked third in the nators: Mike Nolan, Ray Rhodes and playing four seasons for the Bulldogs. Southern Conference in pass defense. Marvin Lewis. In April of 2000, Shade He also tutored 2012 NFL Draft pick won the Redskins’ Unsung Hero Award Corey White. for on-the-field commitment and Bobby Blick SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL

obby Blick is sported a veteran pair of tight ends, University in the 2010 Champs Sports in his Andre Labinowicz and Taylor Berry. Blick Bowl. That season, N.C. State ranked second also oversaw former fullback Matt third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in seasonB on the Eastman’s move to the position. scoring offense, averaging 31.8 points staff., and his first season as director of In 2012, Blick guided a young per game, and was fourth in total player personnel and special teams group of tight ends to 16 receptions for offense, averaging 338.5 yards per coordinator. 234 yards and two touchdowns. Three outing. Blick came to Samford from tight ends saw their first intercollegiate Blick was also an undergraduate Georgia Tech, where he served as a staff game action, while another was a senior assistant at N.C. State from 2004 to assistant for special teams and quality who moved to the position the previous 2007. He was part of the staff that control during the spring. Prior to spring. helped the Wolfpack team to the 2005 working at Georgia Tech, he worked with Prior to working at Elon, Blick served Meineke Car Care Bowl. Samford coaches as an offensive analyst. as an offensive graduate assistant on the Blick graduated from N.C. State in Blick coached at Elon University, staff at North Carolina State University 2007 with a degree in political science working with the team’s tight ends and from 2008 to 2011. He was a part of and a concentration in secondary running backs from 2011 to 2013. In his teams that made two bowl appearances, education. first season with Elon, the Phoenix including a 23-7 win over West Virginia

11 Jay Chapman DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

ay Chapman monitors the Samford football camp Football League. is in his fifth programs. He was president of Thermacraft season on the Chapman worked at the University Insulation from 1997 to 2007. Jstaff. He serves as of Alabama at Birmingham from 2008 Chapman graduated from Samford the team’s director of football operations to 2010 as the director of player with a bachelor’s degree in general and is involved in all aspects of the development for the Blazers. He served studies. He also holds a bachelor’s Samford football program. as the associate director of recruiting for degree from Auburn in animal and dairy He assists Head Coach Pat Sullivan UAB for the last two years. science. He earned a master’s in public with day-to-day operations, and he In 2007, Chapman served as and private management from oversees and coordinates all aspects of coordinator of football operations for Birmingham-Southern. team travel. He also oversees and Team Alabama in the All-American

James Carlson DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT SERVICES

ames equipment for road games, and handles breakdown and computer scouting. He Carlson is in the coaches’ sideline communication. worked for two seasons under former his 14th In his role as football facilities Samford Offensive Coordinator Doug Jseason as a coordinator, he coordinates the use and Meacham and former Assistant Coach member of the staff. He oversees and security of Seibert Stadium. Patrick Nix. coordinates all equipment services for all Before joining the Samford staff, A native of Warner Robins, Ga., sports, working specifically with the Carlson spent three seasons as the Carlson is a member of the National football program. football equipment manager and video Equipment Manager’s Association. His Carlson orders and maintains all coordinator at Henderson State wife’s name is Brena. equipment for the football team. He also University, where he handled day-to-day organizes and oversees transport of all operations of the equipment room, film

12 Rocky Sabbatini VIDEO COORDINATOR

ocky team motivational tapes. also scouted opposing teams. Sabbatini is Before his stint with the Falcons, From 1996 to 1999, Sabbatini was a in his Sabbatini served as a video department video assistant for the Southeast Missouri eighthR season as intern with the St. Louis Rams from 2002 State University football team. He was in video coordinator. to 2003. He organized and delivered charge of videotaping and copying He coordinates the filming and editing of video stills on game days, intercut practices and games, and he was all practices and games, as well as video practice tapes, copied and distributed responsible for videotape exchange. exchange with opponents. practice tapes, and organized videotapes Sabbatini is a 2002 graduate of Sabbatini had served as a video for each season. Southeast Missouri State University. He assistant with the Atlanta Falcons since In the fall of 2001, Sabbatini was the earned his bachelor of science degree in 2003. He filmed games, practices and video coordinator for Cape Central High mass communication with emphasis on meetings, and edited the films. He School in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was video production, and he held a minor in prepared weekly film breakdowns for in charge of organizing and managing coaching. coaches and players, and created NFL that season’s videotapes. In addition to Sabbatini and his wife, Breanna, draft profile tapes. He also assisted with videotaping all practices and games, he have one son, Joey.

Ben Ashford DIRECTOR OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING

en Ashford women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s Ashford earned his master’s degree is in his first tennis, women’s rowing, men’s and in human performance from Alabama in season as women’s swimming and diving, and 2013. Bdirector of strength cheerleading. He was responsible for He completed a bachelor of science and conditioning, programing and coaching team and degree in business administration from working specifically with the football individual workouts. He also assisted with Auburn University in 2004. He spent five team. rehabilitation for injured players, helped years working with three local construc- Ashford comes to Samford from the facilitate proper lifting technique for tion companies: Rives Construction University of Alabama, where he served freshman athletes, and conducted speed (2004), Stewart Perry Company (2005– on the strength and conditioning staff and agility testing. 08) and Doster Construction (2008–09). from 2012 to 2015. He began as an Ashford was promoted to strength Ashford is certified as a strength and intern in the strength and conditioning and conditioning coach in 2013. He conditioning specialist from the NSCA. department, working with an assortment worked with the football, baseball and of athletic programs, including football, men’s tennis teams.

13 Support Staff

Pamela Bartz Graham Craig Christina Henry Harvey Mike Kelly Director of Offensive Harris Special Teams Offensive Line Performance Quality Control Football Analyst Quality Control Nutrition Academic Adviser

Adam Mims Taylor Payne Spencer Matt Price Will Pullins Offensive Analyst Assistant Football Phillips Head Football State Trooper Athletic Trainer Defensive Athletic Trainer Quality Control

J. J. Roupe Nick Serritelli Ricky Turner Wes Wilhoite Football State Trooper Player Personnel Assistant Operations Analyst Equipment Analyst Manager

14 15 2015 PLAYERS JUNIOR RS-SOPHOMORE RS-SOPHOMORE RS-SOPHOMORE RS-SENIOR JUNIOR

75 87 48 53 5 27 Royus Amos Justin Anderson Matt Azemar Austin Barnard Carson Barnett Jamerson Blount Offensive Line Wide Receiver Wide Receiver Punter Quarterback Free Safety

RS-JUNIOR RS-SENIOR RS-SENIOR RS-JUNIOR SENIOR SENIOR

62 21 50 22 95 68 Armando Bonheur James Bradberry Gunnar Bromelow Cody Brooks Wesley Carter Jose Casanova Offensive Line Defensive Back Offensive Tackle Defensive Back Offensive Line Defensive Line

SOPHOMORE RS-SOPHOMORE RS-JUNIOR RS-SENIOR RS-JUNIOR RS-FRESHMAN

36 39 63 23 58 33 Austin Chapman Chaz Claunch Andy Clements Justin Cooper Gordon Crozier Frank D’Alonzo Linebacker Defensive Back Offensive Line Linebacker Offensive Line Fullback

RS-JUNIOR RS-SENIOR RS-SOPHOMORE RS-SOPHOMORE SOPHOMORE RS-FRESHMAN

15 2 37 38 90 99 Roosevelt Donaldson Michael Eubank Reece Everett Troy Forrest Xavier Forrest Ahmad Gooden Defensive Line Quarterback Place-kicker Tight End Defensive Line Defensive Line

16 17 JUNIOR RS-JUNIOR RS-FRESHMAN RS-FRESHMAN RS-SOPHOMORE RS-FRESHMAN

3 59 34 83 72 8 Karel Hamilton Warren Handrahan Aaron Harris Darius Harvey Robert Hatcher Devlin Hodges Wide Receiver Kicker Linebacker Wide Receiver Offensive Line Quarterback

JUNIOR RS-SOPHOMORE SENIOR RS-FRESHMAN SOPHOMORE RS-FRESHMAN

91 70 64 27 94 78 Jared Holloway Ryan Hughes Alec Hulmes James Huston Emeka Ikezu Antwan Johnson Defensive Tackle Offensive Line Long Snapper Wide Receiver Defensive Line Offensive Line

RS-SENIOR SENIOR RS-JUNIOR SOPHOMORE SOPHOMORE RS-SENIOR

43 10 93 17 46 80 Josh Killett Josh Kimberlin Jake Kingree K’rondis Larry Carter McManes Justin Minick Linebacker Defensive Back Defensive Line Running Back Linebacker Defensive End

RS-SOPHOMORE RS-JUNIOR SENIOR SENIOR RS-JUNIOR RS-JUNIOR

4 55 77 71 9 29 Albert Mitchell Jonathan Mooney Hayden Naumann Brad Noble Emmanuel Obajimi Tonne Osaigbovo Quarterback Linebacker Offensive Line Defensive Tackle Wide Receiver Linebacker

RS-SOPHOMORE RS-SOPHOMORE SENIOR RS-SENIOR SOPHOMORE SENIOR

18 41 32 98 44 86 Drew Pederson Sam Pettway Tony Philpot Michael Pierce Deion Pierre Anthony Pistelli Quarterback Safety Halfback Defensive Line Linebacker Placekicker

18 19 SOPHOMORE RS-FRESHMAN RS-SOPHOMORE JUNIOR SENIOR SOPHOMORE

36 60 52 89 51 45 Anthony Preston Tyler Queen Connor Rafferty Javian Ramson Jonathan Rodgers Shaheed Salmon Fullback Long Snapper Offensive Line Wide Receiver Linebacker Linebacker

RS-JUNIOR SENIOR SENIOR RS-SOPHOMORE RS-JUNIOR RS-FRESHMAN

40 7 33 13 96 18 Devon Schmitt Gavin Sinclair Derek Slaughter Tyler Small Mitchell Smith C. J. Toomer Tight End Wide Receiver Linebacker Tight End Defensive Line Linebacker

RS-SENIOR SOPHOMORE RS-JUNIOR RS-JUNIOR SOPHOMORE JUNIOR

24 20 30 25 12 35 Trey Wesley Ryan White Jake Wilks Denzel Williams Omari Williams Terrell Woods Defensive Back Defensive Back Running Back Running Back Defensive Back Defensive Line

RS-FRESHMAN

61 Chase Zeegers Long Snapper

20 21 2015 SIGNEE 2015 SIGNEE 2015 SIGNEE 2015 SIGNEE 2015 SIGNEE 2015 SIGNEE

20 26 92 22 David Abee Roland Adams Nick Barton Emerson Brooks Alfred Brown Wen Burnette Wide Receiver Running Back Defensive Back Defensive Back Defensive Line Wide Receiver