RipRip SchererScherer MEMPHIS brings a family philosophy and a winning attitude to the JMU was 15-16 in the three seasons before Rip Scherer, who came to The University of program, was selected as the head football coach at Scherer's arrival, but his 1991 team tied a school Memphis in 1995, begins his fifth season as the Ti- The University of Memphis on January 13, 1995. record for victories, advanced in the Division I-AA gers' head football coach and huge strides in the Scherer became the 20th in Tiger football playoffs for the first time and was nationally ranked program history. for nine straight weeks. Scherer received two Vir- continue to The 47-year old Scherer made an immediate ginia Division I Coach of the year awards (from the be made impact on the University and the city of Memphis. Virginia Sports Information Directors Association and both on and His first priority was to reach out to the surrounding the Richmond Touchdown Club), and the Dukes off the field. community, which he did by booking over 150 speak- rewrote much of the team's offensive record book. Before tak- ing engagements during his first spring in Memphis. JMU received an at-large berth to the Division ing over at Among his community efforts was bagging grocer- I-AA playoffs for the first time since 1987 and de- Memphis, ies at Seessel's food store in order to raise money for feated a nationally ranked opponent for the first time Scherer the needy, as well as speaking to the Engineering since 1986. The Dukes beat nationally ranked foes served as Club of Memphis and numerous civic organizations. in three consecu- tive September games, and they the head Scherer also worked at coaches clinics in Pittsburgh, won over four ranked foes during the season (three football PA, and Atlantic City, NJ, helped with the Special times in road games). The fourth was in the first coach at Olympics and spoke to all the area high school round of NCAA play, at Delaware and against the James coaches and principles. East's top seed. A less-experienced and injury Madison "We're trying to build a top-notch program here plagued JMU squad finished 4-7 in 1992. Among University at Memphis and you have to start with what's around that season's highlights was a 52-49 victory at de-

from 1991 you," Scherer said. "Developing positive relationships fending Division I-AA national champion and then- HEAD COACH HEAD through with the community and area high schools is a big unbeaten Youngstown State. Youngstown State fin- 1994. where step in that direction." ished second in the 1992 Division I-AA playoffs, and he compiled a 29-19-0 record. Scherer established himself as an outstand- the Dukes also beat a William and Mary team that Taking over a football program at Memphis ing college head football coach in his first year at was nationally ranked and unbeaten in Division I-AA that had depended primarily on junior college ath- James Madison University and in 1993 led the Dukes play at the time. letes, Scherer and his staff set out to rebuild the Ti- to a successful season in their first year of Yankee Scherer's 1993 team had only four seniors ger football fortunes on high school players from the Conference play. The Pittsburgh native joined the among its first 22 players but lost only to playoff com- Memphis and southeastern regions of the country. JMU staff in December 1990 with no head coach- petitors William and Mary (31-26 on the road) and Over the past four years, Scherer has put together ing experience at any level and promptly directed Boston University (24-21) in its final seven games. some of the most talented recruiting classes in the Dukes to one of the top seasons in Division I-AA. Among the season highlights was a 42-38 win over school history. JMU was 9-4-0 and played in the NCAA playoffs in unbeaten and second-ranked Delaware. 23 Seeking national prominence for the U of M 1991. The Dukes were 4-7-0 in 1992, and the 1993 Scherer employed a varied and productive of- football program, Scherer's Tiger team shocked the team overcame a 2-3 start to finish 6-5-0. fense and emphasized a disciplined style that mini- collegiate football world during the 1996 season. The Tigers grabbed the national spotlight by knock- ing off the No. 6 ranked Tennessee Volunteers on CBS-TV. The game was tabbed the "Upset of the Year" in by several news organiza- tions. The increased recognition for the football pro- gram translated into a second outstanding recruit- ing campaign. Scherer and his staff were able to land another first team Parade All-American, mark- ing the second consecutive year that a nationally renowned prep player has choosen the U of M. In his first year at the helm of the Tiger football program, Scherer was charged with the task of re- molding and rebuilding a football program that had not received national attention since the 1971 sea- son. With one season under his belt, Scherer and his staff put together perhaps the greatest recruiting class in school history. The Tigers received com- mitments from three of the top five players in the city of Memphis, including the nation's all-time leading prep receiver and the number four ranked all-time leading prep passer. Scherer (42-50-0 overall; 13-31-0 at UM), who THE SCHERER FAMILY Rip Scherer mizes penalties and turnovers. The Dukes improved and he also has been an assistant under Dick Bestwick, in each of those areas during his tenure, and before and Bo Rein. UP CLOSE WITH RIP the 1994 season he redesigned a JMU defense that Scherer left Arizona's staff after the 1990 team in 1993 allowed 118 fewer yards per game than in competed in the Aloha Bowl, its second straight bowl  Born 1992. appearance . Arizona led the Pacific 10 in rushing Aug. 3, 1952, in Pittsburgh, PA JMU scored more points and compiled more during his tenure as , and the yardage in total offense in each of Scherer's sea- Wildcats had the fewest turnovers in the league in  High School sons than in any previous season in the program's h i s first year directing the offense. Arizona was Tom River, N.J., received two varsity letters and history. His first JMU team had but 20 turnovers com- 7-4 in regular-season play was a two-time all-conference selection (1968, pared to the previous squad's 31, and the Dukes had and bet three bowl teams in 1969) and a 1969 all-state selection but 23 in the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Twice under 1990. The 1990 Wildcats Scherer JMU set a team record for fewest yards also became the first  College penalized in a season. team in 75 years to Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education from William and Mary in 1974; Master of When arriving at JMU, Scherer showed little beat UCLA and Education degree in Education Administration from concern for the hurdles before him and quickly Southern California Penn State in 1975; Earned three letters as a began building a program that relied on hard work, in Los Angeles in scholarship QB and was a two-year starter at discipline and organization. Those were quali- the same season. William and Mary. ties he observed in 17 seasons as a Division I-A assistant. Scherer com-  Personal Data Scherer came to JMU after three seasons pleted high Name: William Bernard Scherer at Arizona, the last two as offensive coordinator. school in Family: Wife, Michele, a William and Mary He worked under at Arizona and for New Jersey graduate, and three children, Scott (7/14/79), two years (1977-78) at Hawaii. Scherer was a quar- and was re- Melanie (1/27/82) and Ryan (5/14/90). terback at William and Mary under and a cruited to Will- graduate assistant under at Penn State, iam and Mary as  Coaching/Administrative Career a by 1974-75: Graduate assistant at Penn State Lou Holtz. He let- under Joe Paterno, ( and receivers); QUESTIONS tered three times, Penn State played in the Cotton Bowl after the 1974 two as a starter, season and the Sugar Bowl after the 1975 season ... RIP'S and then was a 1976: Assistant coach at North Carolina State & ANSWERS under Bo Rein, (quarterbacks) ...1977-78: Assistant  We are a tight-fisted family who cares for and graduate assis- tant coach un- coach at Hawaii under Dick Tomey, (running backs respects one another as individuals. and coordinating the running game) ...1979: der Joe Paterno at Penn State for two seasons (1974- Assistant coach at Virginia under Dick Bestwick,  We are responsible and accountable for our 75). HEAD COACH (quarterbacks and coordinating the passing game) actions on and off the field. Scherer coached the quarterbacks under Bo  We are committed to being a championship pro- ...1980: Assistant coach at Louisiana State under Bo Rein at North Carolina State in 1976 and was run- Rein, (quarterbacks and coordinating the passing gram with each individual striving to be the best he can ning backs coach at Hawaii under Dick Tomey in game) (left Louisiana State after Rein's death in a 24 be in all areas. 1977-78. He coached the quarterbacks under Dick plane crash) ...1980-84: Assistant coach at Georgia  We are a program that provides an atmosphere Bestwick at Virginia in 1979 (the first season JMU Tech under Bill Curry, (offensive coordinator) ... for learning and ultimately leads to 100 percent gradu- played Virginia) and worked with Rein at LSU in 1980 1985: Assistant coach at under Bill ation. before the Tigers' coach died in a plane crash. Curry, (assistant head coach) ...1987: Assistant  We are fundamentally sound and rely on ex- Scherer served under Bill Curry as running Coach at Alabama, under Bill Curry, (offensive backs coach and offensive coordinator at Georgia coordinator) ...1988: Coordinator of football ecution and fanatical effort. Tech from 1980-84. He was an assistant athletic operations at Arizona ... 1989-90: Assistant coach  We hold personal and program integrity in the director at Georgia Tech in 1985 but returned to the at Arizona under Dick Tomey, (offensive coordina- highest regard. Yellow Jackets' football staff in 1986 as offensive co- tor); Arizona played in the Copper Bowl after the  We are a first class program with young men ordinator. Scherer was offensive coordinator at Ala- 1989 season and the Aloha Bowl after the 1990 who are active and respected in the community; we are bama under Curry in 1987 and helped the Crimson season ... 1991-94: Head Coach at James Tide to a 7-4 record and a Hall of Fame Bowl bid Madison University ...1995-Present: Head Coach solid citizens and role models. at Memphis  We hold the team above the individual. against Michigan. As an assistant athletic director at Georgia  We have a "make-it-happen" mentality, playing  Honors Tech, Scherer was responsible for supervising vari- with passion and enthusiasm while maintaining our 1991: Virginia Division I Coach of the Year by ous student life services including academic coun- the Virginia SID Association and the Richmond poise and dealing with adversity. seling, housing and player eligibility, and serving as  We are well-conditioned and physically strong, Touchdown Club ... 1997: Inducted into Tom's River a liaison between the school and the NCAA and the HS Hall of Fame ... 1998: Inducted into Jersey Shore striving to be the dominant in all areas. Atlantic Coast Conference. Hall of Fame.  We are open and honest with each other. Scherer's first JMU team set school records by  We are positive and committed to being averaging 31.9 points and 413.8 yards in total of-  Record coachable. fense per game (regular-season games). The At JMU: 29-19-0 (1991-94)  We have an environment conducive to individual Dukes were penalized 57 yards fewer than their op- At Memphis: 13-31-0 (1995-present) growth in areas not just related to academics and foot- ponents, the first time in 10 seasons they had been Total Record: 42-50-0 ( 8 years) ball. penalized less than their opponents. His 1992 squad averaged 30.3 points and  We are situation smart in our approach to win- 411.4 yards per game and set a team record by aver- ning games. aging 185.0 passing yards per game. AssistantAssistant CoachesCoaches MEMPHIS records including total offense in a season at RUSTY BURNS 2,400 yards. THE BURNS FILE CO-OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS In 1992, Burns tutored Tech's record-set- ting quarterback Shawn Jones, who set school Personal records for passing yardage and yards per game. The 1994 offense, which was led by quarterback Born: Bourne, MA Donnie Davis, averaged 399.8 yards per game, Birthdate: 9-27-55 the second highest figure in school history. College: Springfield College (1978) Prior to his arrival at Georgia Tech, Burns Athletics: 3 year football letterman at coached at the University of Cincinnati from 1989 quarterback through 1991. He served as the Bearcats offen- sive coordinator and quarterback coach and was Wife: Debra Salan Burns responsible for rebuilding Cincinnati's 106th Children: Kelly & Kristen ranked offense which climbed to 30th place in the nation in total offense. Coaching Experience Burns coached at Marietta High School in Univ. of Memphis (1996-

1995 and worked with former Tiger quarterback COACHES ASSISTANT Stephen Galbraith. Marietta High School (1995) A graduate of Springfield College, Burns be- Georgia Tech (1992-94) gan his coaching career at the University of Con- Univ. of Cincinnati (1989-91) Rusty Burns is entering his fourth year with necticut. He worked for four years as the running Univ. of Connecticut (1980-88) the Tiger staff. After working as running back backs and receiver coach and the last five as the coach in 1996, Burns will serve as co-offensive Connecticut offensive coordinator and quarter- Springfield College (1978-79) coordinator and quarterback coach for the third backs coach. He tutored several record set- season ting quarterbacks, including the school's top four During his tenure at UM, Burns has had to all-time total offense leaders. work and develop young quarterbacks each Burns played quarterback for Springfield season. The 1999 season will mark the first that College for three years and also 25 Burns has had his starting quarterback from the lettered in basketball. He received previous season return for a second campaign. his bachelors degree in Physical He coached quarterback Qadry Anderson Education in 1978 and his master's in 1996, Bernard Oden in 1997 and Neil degree in education in 1979. Suber, Stephan Galbraith and A native of Bourne, MA, Kenton Evans in 1998. Suber Burns is married to the former is expected to be the starter in Debra Salan of Storrs, CT., and the fall of 1999 after starting the couple has two daughters, Kelly the final four games of the and Kirsten. '98 season. Prior to his arrival at The University of Mem- phis in 1996, Burns spent four years as the quar- terback and receiver coach for Georgia Tech. In 1994, the Yellow Jacket offense was the second most productive in the school's history, aver- aging over 400 yards per game. During his tenure in Atlanta, Tech's quarter- backs set numerous Atlan- tic Coast Conference THE BURNS FAMILY Assistant Coaches MAC McWHORTER a three-year letterman for the Bulldogs as an CO-OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/LINE offensive player and was an All-Academic South- THE McWHORTER FILE eastern Conference selection in 1972 and 1973. In 1973, McWhorter was an Associated Personal Press All- offensive Born: Atlanta, GA guard and received honorable mention all- Birthdate: 6-17-50 America acclaim. He also served as permanent College: Univ. of Georgia (1973) captain of the 1973 squad, while maintaining the highest GPA on the football team. Georgia played Athletics: 4 year football letterman at in the 1971 Gator Bowl and the 1973 Peach Bowl offensive guard during his career. Wife: Rebecca McWhorter McWhorter began his coaching career Children: Katie, Mac and Kasay as an assistant coach at Duluth (GA) High School in 1974 and went on to become an assistant at Douglas County (GA) High School Coaching Experience between 1975-78. He served as head coach Univ. of Memphis (1999- at Villa Rica (GA) High School in 1979, where Clemson University (1996-98) he was named Carroll County Coach of the University of Georgia (1991-95) Year. McWhorter moved into the college Duke University (1990) coaching ranks in 1980, when he was named West Georgia College (1989)

Mac McWhorter, who served three years to the Georgia Tech coaching staff. From 1980 (1987-88) COACHES ASSISTANT as the offensive line and tight end coach at to 1981 he coached receivers and was the Georgia Tech (1980-86) Clemson, is entering his first year as co-offensive special teams coordinator for the Yellow Jackets. Villa Rica HS (1979) During the 1981 and 1982 seasons, he served coordinator and offensive line coach for the U of Douglas County HS (75-78) M. as offensive line and special teams coach and McWhorter, 49, was responsible for de- also took over the duties of recruiting coordinator. Duluth HS (1974) veloping 1997 Clemson all-American lineman McWhorter became assistant head coach in 1985 Jim Bundren. The Tigers led the ACC in rush- and the team received a bid to the ing in 1996 and ranked second in 1997 All-American Bowl. In 1987, he moved to Ala- ASSISTANT COACHES and McWhorter was credited for the strong play of the offensive line. bama with Bill Curry and 26 A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Rip Scherer, where he McWhorter coached for five years at the served as assistant University of Georgia before moving head coach and to Clemson in 1996. While at Geor- offensive line gia, he coached the offensive line coach for the and helped the Bulldogs estab- Tide. Alabama lish a school record for yards was ranked in per rush with an average the top 20 during of 5.6 yards per his tenure and carry. The 1993 participated in the team completed Sun Bowl. 63 percent of its McWhorter left passes, also a Alabama in 1989 to school record. become head football The 1994 Geor- coach at West Georgia gia squad com- College. In 1990 he pleted a school joined the staff at record 25 touchdowns passes and set the mark Duke University and after for total offense with 5135 yards, an average of one season as offensive line coach, 487 per game. returned to his alma mater. He and his wife, Rebecca, McWhorter graduated from Therrell High THE McWHORTER FAMILY School in Atlanta in 1969, where he played foot- have three children, Katie, Mac, ball and ran track. He attended the University of and Kasay. Georgia on football scholarship and received his bachelor's degree in education in 1974. He was Assistant Coaches TIM PENDERGAST as defensive secondary coach for Scherer for RECEIVERS two seasons. THE PENDERGAST FILE A native of Syracuse, New York, Pendergast entered the coaching profession Personal at Cornell University in 1981 as a part-time Born: Syracuse, NY assistant and was promoted to freshman Birthdate: 8-15-58 coach in 1982. In 1983, he was named sec- ondary coach and remained in that capacity College: Cortland State (1980) for seven years. Cornell won the Ivy League Athletics: 4 year football letterman at title in 1988 and was in the top 10 nationally in defensive safety total defense and scoring defense in 1986 and Wife: Leslie Pendergast 1988. Children: Gregory & Taylor Pendergast left Cornell in 1990 to join the staff at Northwestern as receiver coach and in 1992 moved to the University of Maine as the Coaching Experience secondary coach. Maine had 24 interceptions Univ. of Memphis (1997-) and returned six for touchdowns in 1992. James Madison Univ. (1993-96) A graduate of Cortland State, Pendergast played safety for four seasons and was a Divi- Univ. of Maine (1992) sion III ECAC all-star as a senior. He received Northwestern (1990-91) his bachelor's of education from Cornell (1981-89) Tim Pendergast, who served as defen- Cortland State in 1980 and his COACHES ASSISTANT sive coordinator at James Madison Univer- master's of education from Ithaca sity for two years, begins his third season at College in 1986. The University of Memphis and his first as the Pendergast and his wife, Tigers' receiver coach. Leslie, have a son, Gregory, He was the secondary coach for and a daughter, Taylor. Memphis for two years before moving to receivers last spring. He re- cruits the Texas area (Dallas/Fort Worth) and Memphis area for the ASSISTANT COACHES U of M. 26 Working with the Tiger defen- 27 sive backs over the past two sea- sons, Pendergast has been re- sponsible for the development of such noted backs as Mike McKenzie, Keith and Kevin Cobb and Jeremy Stewart. McKenzie was one of the top defensive backs taken in the 1999 NFL draft. This past spring he took over the receiver position and has been given the task of honing the skills of such young receivers as Derrick Harmon and Tripp Higgins. During his tenure at James Madison University, Pendergast, age 40, worked as the Dukes' defensive co- ordinator for two seasons while overseeing the defen- sive backs. Prior to being elevated to de- THE PENDERGAST FAMILY fensive coordinator, Pendergast served Assistant Coaches CHARLIE COE RUNNING BACKS Prior to joining the staff at Pittsburgh, Coe coached the receivers and running backs for the THE COE FILE University of Tennessee Volunteers from 1990- 92 under Majors. He has also had coaching stints Personal at his alma mater Kansas State University (1989), Born: St. Louis, MO the University of Missouri (1985-88), the Univer- sity of Louisville (1983-84), Ball State University Birthdate: 10-31-49 (1982), the University of Cincinnati (1977-79) College: Kansas State (1973) and the University of Iowa (1976). Athletics: 4 year football letterman at Coe has served a fellowship with the Dallas cornerback & baseball letterman Cowboys in 1992 and 1996, with the Steelers in Wife: Debbie Moore Coe 1995 and with the in 1994. The 48-year old has also worked with the Kan- Children: Chuck, Cecily, Michael & Ashley sas City Chiefs and the under the NFL fellowship pro- gram. He was named as the Coaching Experience offensive coor- dinator for the North squad in the Univ. of Memphis (1997- 1994 Blue Gray All-Star game in Montgomery, Alabama. A native of St. Louis, Mis- Univ. of Pittsburgh (1993-96) Charlie Coe, who served as run- souri, Coe starred as a defensive back Univ. of Tennessee (1990-92)

ning back coach at the University of and return specialist for Kansas State Kansas State Univ. (1989) ASSISTANT COACHES ASSISTANT Pittsburgh for four years and assis- in 1970. He was also named tant head coach to Johnny Majors Univ. of Missouri (1985-88) All-Big Eight Conference in Univ. of Louisville (1983-84) for three seasons, is beginning his baseball as a second third season as running backs baseman in 1971. Ball State Univ. (1982) coach for the Tigers. Following his Univ. of Cincinnati (1977-79) While working at the U of collegiate playing career, Univ. of Iowa (1976) M, Coe has been responsible Coe was drafted in the for the development of first round of the 1971 running backs Gerard Major Arnold and Teofilo Riley. ASSISTANT COACHES League draft Arnold broke the by the Detroit Ti- 28 single season rushing gers and spent 27 record in 1998 by two years in their gaining 1,059 yards farm system. After and Riley went over a stint in major 1000 career yards league baseball, he rushing during the entered professional 1998 season and football and spent part had a team best 190 of the 1974 season yards rushing with the St. Louis Car- against Arkansas dinals of the National State University. Football League. Last season Coe is married to Tiger backs the former Debbie Moore gained 1,534 and the couple has four children, yards rushing, averaging 139.5 yards per game. Chuck, Cecily, Michael and Ashley. Arnold had 1,059 yards breaking the 35-year old mark set by the late Dave Casinelli. Coe, who joined Majors' staff at the Uni- versity of Pittsburgh in 1993, served as the run offensive coordinator for the Panthers one season. In each of his first two seasons at Pitt, the Panthers had a 1,000 yard rusher - Curtis Martin in 1993 and Billy West in 1994. West THE COE FAMILY led the Big East in rushing and was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 1994. Assistant Coaches RUSS HUESMAN TIGHT ENDS fense, Huesman, a 14-year veteran of the staff, also coached the William & Mary secondary, a THE HUESMAN FILE job he took over in 1991. In eight seasons under his direction, the College of William & Mary de- Personal veloped one of the most effective backfields in Born: Cincinnati, OH the nation. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Huesman Birthdate: 1-28-60 played prep football at perennial power College: UT-Chattanooga (1982) Moeller High School, where he lettered for Athletics: 4 year football letterman at four years under head coach Gerry Faust. defensive back He helped Moeller's team compile a record Wife: Amy Huesman of 43-0-1 and win a pair of Ohio state cham- pionships. Children: Jacob & Natalie An all-city selection in football as a senior, Huesman signed a football scholarship with UT- Coaching Experience Chattanooga, where he started all four years as Univ. of Memphis (1998- a defensive back. He played under the late Joe William & Mary (1985-97) Russ Huesman, who was a member of the Morrison for two years and competed his final football staff at William & Mary for 14 years and two seasons under Bill Oliver. Univ. of South Carolina (1983-84) Following graduation in 1982, he spent a UT-Chattanooga (1982) the defensive coordinator for the Indians during COACHES ASSISTANT the 1996 and 1997 seasons, is entering his sec- year as a graduate assis- ond year as a member of the University of tant at UT-Chatta- Memphis staff. nooga and then He worked as outside linebacker moved to coach during the 1998 season and was the switched to tight end coach in the University spring of 1999 to help develop the Ti- gers' numerous young tight ends. In addition, Huesman serves as the re-

ASSISTANT COACHES cruiting coordinator for the Tiger staff and has East Tennessee and Ala- 29 28 bama for recruiting areas. Huesman spent the spring of 1999 training freshmen tight ends of South Jeff Cameron and Carolina Mowbray as a Rowand, who gradu- are both ex- ate as- pected to see sistant extended duty under this fall along with starter Billy Kendall. Morrison. In 1997, the William & Mary Indians were Huesman and his wife, ranked third in the Atlantic 10 Conference in Amy, have a son, Jacob and a defense and were the league's leader in pass daughter, Natalie. efficiency defense. Huesman's 1996 unit turned in one of the finest performances ever by a William & Mary defense by finishing the season as the second-ranked unit in the nation, allowing just 231.8 yards per game. That defensive squad led the Yankee Conference in total defense and helped power the Indians to their first con- ference title since 1970. In addition to coordinating the Tribes' de- THE HUESMAN FAMILY Assistant Coaches JOHN THOMPSON DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR very impressive. The unit finished a 9-3 sea- son ranked 14th nationally in rush defense, THE THOMPSON FILE 11th in pass efficiency defense, and 18th in total defense. Personal USM's Conference USA numbers are Born: El Paso, Texas equally outstanding. USM finished first in the league in scoring defense, third in pass de- Birthdate: 10-16-55 fense, second in rushing defense and first in College: Central Arkansas (1978) total defense in 1997. Athletics: 2 year football letterman At Louisiana Tech, Thompson's 1990 Wife: Charleen McCabe Thompson squad ranked 23rd nationally in total defense Children: Cabe & Hays and 19th in scoring defense. Tech ended the year with a bid to the Independence Bowl play- ing Maryland. Coaching Experience Thompson, who played collegiate football University of Memphis (1999- at the University of Central Arkansas, also has Univ. of Southern Mississippi (1992-98) coaching experience at the University of Ala- John Thompson, one of the most well bama and the University of Arkansas, as well as Louisiana Tech (1990-91) respected defensive coaches in college foot- five seasons at the high school level. He has Northwestern Louisiana (1988-89) ball, is entering his first season as the Tigers coached in three bowl games in his career, in- Univ. of Alabama (1987)

defensive coordinator. Thompson came to cluding the 1982 Bluebonnet Bowl and the 1987 Northwestern Louisiana (1983-86) SUPPORT STAFF SUPPORT Memphis after serving seven seasons as de- Hall of Fame Bowl. Univ. of Arkansas (1982) fensive coordinator at the University of South- The Forrest City, Arkansas, native has ern Mississippi. He also coached the Golden coached no less than 27 collegiate players Aradelphis High School (1979-81) Eagle's inside linebackers and since 1993, who have gone on to careers in the National Forrest City High School (1978) served as assistant head coach. Football League, including College Hall of Conway High School (1977) Thompson joined the staff at Southern Mis- Famer Gary Reasons. sissippi after coaching stints at Louisiana Tech Thompson and his and Northwestern Louisiana. The results at wife, Charleen, have

ASSISTANT COACHES USM were immediate. The Eagle de- two sons, Cabe and fense climbed in the national rankings Hays. 30 and finished the season ranked in scor- 29 ing defense and in pass efficiency defense. In 1998, Thompson's defense continued its suc- cess by again being the best defense in Confer- ence USA. The Eagles ranked first in scoring defense and first in total defense for the second consecutive season. The 1997 Confer- ence USA and Liberty Bowl champions were led by Thompson's defense that ranked first in the conference in scoring defense, pass efficiency and total defense. The Eagles were ranked in the top 21 in the nation in four defensive categories, while compet- ing against four teams that were ranked among the nation's top five in offense. THE THOMPSON FAMILY Thompson's 1997 defense was 30 SUPPORT STAFF Connecticut, his 1983defensiveunitseta coach atConnecticut fortwoyears.Whileat fensive coordinatorandsecondary Madison staff,Pletcherworkedasde- yards percontest. 11th nationallygiving upjust183.9 In 1986theDukesdefensewas yards oftotaloffensepergame. in thenation,allowingjust284.3 seasons. sion 1-AAforsixconsecutive ranked inthetop20Divi- ure, theDukesdefensewas Memphis. Duringhisten- years priortohisarrivalin James Madisonforten defensive coordinatorfor rating and21takeaways. margin withaplusseven ranked secondinturnover merer 161.7yardspassing. tal yardspergameanda defense allowingjust327.8to- ond intheconferenceover USA inpassdefenseandsec- fense rankedfirstinConference years. His1997MemphisTigerde- the Tigersdefensivecoordiantorforfour Scherer atJamesMadisonUniversity. worked asdefensivecoordinatorforRip arrival atTheUniversityofMemphis,Pletcher defensive coachfortheTigers.Priortohis Assistant Coaches Prior tohisjoiningtheJames His 1985unitranked10th Pletcher servedas The 1996defensewas The Pennsylvanianativeservedas Jim Pletcherisinhisfifthseasonasa JIM PLETCHER DEFENSIVE ENDS gree in1976. field College,wherehereceivedhismaster'sde- nia, nativeenteredthecollegiateranksatSpring- Woodbridge High,theLockHaven,Pennsylva- (Del.) HighSchool.Afteratwo-yearstintat profession asanassistantcoachatWoodbridge Delaware in1973andenteredthecoaching gree inhealthandphysicaleducationfrom 1975. 1982. Springfield'spassdefenseledthenationin defense andwasranked12thintotal Northeastern defenseledthenationinpass coach atSpringfieldCollege(1975-80).His years (1981-82)andwasthesecondary Pletcher coachedatNortheasternfortwo defense. the defensewasranked10thnationallyinpass school recordforpassinterceptionsandin1984 Pletcher, 49,receivedhisbachelor'sde- A graduateoftheUniversityDelaware, JIM PLETCHER Woodbridge High(1973-74) Springfield College(1975-80) Northeastern (1981-82) Univ. ofConnecticut(1983-84) James MadisonUniv.(1985-94) Univ. ofMemphis(1995-) defensive back Athletics: 4yearfootballlettermanat College: Univ.ofDelaware(1973) Birthdate: 4-5-50 Born: LockHaven,PA THE PLETCHER FILE PLETCHER THE Coaching Experience

Personal 31 COACHES ASSISTANT Assistant Coaches DAVID LOCKWOOD SECONDARY a member of the West Virginia team that played Notre Dame for the national THE LOCKWOOD FILE championship in the 1988 Sunkist Fi- esta Bowl. He was also a member of Personal the Mountaineers' Bluebonnet Bowl and Born: Media, PA Sun Bowl teams. After working as a graduate assis- Birthdate: 3-23-66 tant for one year at the University of College: West Virginia (1988) West Virginia, Lockwood joined the staff Athletics: 4 year football letterman at at the University of Delaware as tight cornerback end and receiver coach, and remained Wife: Heidi Lockwood there for four seasons. He joined the staff at James Madison in 1994. Children: Autumn & David Phillip, Jr. Lockwood, a native of Media, Pennsylvania, received his bachelor's Coaching Experience degree in physical education at the Uni- Univ. of Memphis (1995- versity of West Virginia. He and his wife, Heidi, a teacher James Madison Univ. (1994) David Lockwood, a graduate of the with a recreation and parks administra- Univ. of Delaware (1990-93) University of West Virginia, is entering tion degree from the University of Dela- his fifth year as a member of the Mem- ware and a master's degree in exercise phis coaching staff and his first year as science from West Chester College, the defensive secondary coach. have a daughter, Autumn and a son, Prior to 1999, he had worked as the David Phillip, Jr. Tigers' receiver coach. Lockwood served as James Madison's receiver coach under Rip Scherer before joining the Memphis staff in 1995. ASSISTANT COACHES Since his arrival 32 at Memphis, Lockwood has tu- tored such receivers as Richie Floyd, Damien Dodson and Darrius "Boo" Blevins. All three re- ceivers are ranked among the school's all- time leaders. Floyd fin- ished his career ranked third with 1,654 yards. Dodson is currently ranked fourth with 1,589 yards and Blevins is 14th at 1,017 yards receiving. Floyd and Dodson have etched their names in the Tiger record book in other catagories and Dodson could become the University's all-time leading receiver before the end of the 1999 season. A four-year football letterman for the University of West Virginia Mountaineers from 1984 through 1988, Lockwood was THE LOCKWOOD FAMILY Assistant Coaches HANK HUGHES DEFENSIVE LINE in Montreal. Previously, Hughes worked at James THE HUGHES FILE Madison University as recruiting coordinator Personal and inside linebacker coach. He was a mem- ber of the Dukes' staff from 1985 through 1990 Born: Albany, NY and coached all-American and Dallas Cowboy Birthdate: 10-19-57 all-star Charles Haley during his tenure. College: Springfield College (1979) Hughes also coached at Lafayette for three Athletics: 4 year football letterman at seasons (1982-84), the University of Albany (1979), his alma mater Springfield College (1980) linebacker and Northeastern (1981). Wife: Jackie Hughes Hughes graduated from Springfield in 1979 Children: Raquel Marie & Henry with a degree in physical education. He and his wife, Jackie, have two children, Coaching Experience a daughter, Raquel Marie and a son, Henry. Univ. of Memphis (1998-) Harvard (1994-97) Hank Hughes, who served for four years as Univ. of Cincinnati (1993) defensive line coach and assistant Montreal (WFL) (1990-92) head coach at Harvard, is entering COACHES ASSISTANT his second season as the Ti- James Madison Univ. (1985-90) gers' defensive line coach. Lafayette (1982-84) Hughes replaced Northeastern (1981) Wayne Weedon, who Springfield College (1980) left to become ath- letic director of the Univ. of Albany (1979) Memphis City School system. Hughes made the move to Harvard from 33 the University of Cincinnati along with current Harvard head coach Tim Murphy. Cincinnati had finished the 1993 season with a record of 8-3 and were ranked 27th in the nation. In 1997, Hughes helped coach one of the nation's best defenses, as Harvard posted a 9-1 record and captured the outright Ivy League championship. It was the Crimson's first 7-0 Ivy League record in the history of the school. Hughes has extensive college and profes- sional experience. Prior to joining the staff at Cincinnati, he was the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach for the Montreal Machine of the World League of , a position he held from 1991 until 1993. Kansas City Chiefs star Tracy Simien was among the players he coached THE HUGHES FAMILY Support Staff JOHN FLOWERS DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS the state playoffs. A graduate of Nokomis High School, Flow- THE FLOWERS FILE ers signed with SIU in 1973. He lettered for four years as a linebacker and received the Star Personal Lineman Award as a senior. Flowers was Born: Nokomis, IL selected to the Tri-State (Illinois, Kentucky, Indi- Birthdate: 12-7-54 ana) first team. College: Southern Illinois (1976) John and his wife, LuAnn, have two daugh- ters, Brittany, and Brooke. Brittany is a junior at Athletics: 4 year football letterman at The University of Memphis. Brooke is entering defensive end & linebacker her senior year at Bartlett High School in Wife: Luann Flowers Memphis, where she is a letter winner for the Children: Brittany & Brooke Lady Panther basketball team. Experience Univ. of Memphis (1985- John Flowers, who came to Lincoln High School (1978-84) Memphis in 1985, is in his 15th year as a member of the football staff. He serves as Rip Scherer's director of football operations and handles the day-to-day run- ning of the football office. Since his arrival in Memphis, Flowers has worked under head coaches Rey

SUPPORT STAFF Dempsey (1984-85), (1986- 88), Chuck Stobert 34 (1989-94) and Rip Scherer (1995-present). Flowers came to Memphis after serving in the high school coaching ranks for seven years in the state of Illinois. A graduate of South- ern Illinois University, Flow- ers played for the Salukis in the 1970s and received his degree from SIU in 1976. As a player, Flowers was nominated for UPI Line- man of the Week after regis- tering 18 tackles, six sacks, one pass break up and a blocked punt against the University of Northern Illi- nois. He lettered for four years for the South- ern Illinois defense. He entered the coaching profession as an assistant 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 FLOWERS FAMILY Support Staff

fensive line coach and strength and condition- JEFF JOHNSON BART STOWE ing coach. It was during this period that Samford GRADUATE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE GRADUATE ASSISTANT twice participated in the NCAA 1AA National Playoffs and compiled a two year record of 22- Jeff Johnson, 5. Bart Stowe, a who served as the ad- A graduate of Florida State University, former football man- ministrative graduate Stroud was a three-year starter for the Semi- ager at the U of M, will assistant for Rip noles at nose guard. He served as captain of be the administrative Scherer's Tiger football the 1985 team that played in the Gator Bowl graduate assistant for program for the past and also helped his team to the 1983 Peach Rip Scherer's Tiger foot- two years, will become Bowl and the 1984 Citrus Bowl. He was twice ball program this fall. an onfield graduate as- named to the NSCA Nutrament All-America Stowe will assist the ad- sistant with the defense this fall. Team. ministrative aid in daily football duties and will Johnson, who graduated from Miami, Stroud received his undergraduate de- work with the recruiting coordinator. Ohio University in 1997, played football for gree in Movement Sciences from Florida A native of Lexington, Tennessee, Stowe three years for the Redskins as a defensive State and his master's degree in Athletic Ad- came to the University of Memphis in 1993 back. Following his playing days, Johnson ministration from Alabama-Birmingham. and worked with the football team for four served as a student coach for the Redskins Stroud and his wife, Marianne, have three years. He served as a football manager work- his senior year then became an intern in the daughters, Jessica, Alexandra and Chelsea. ing with the defensive backs. strength and conditioning program. Following graduation in 1997, he entered During the summer of 1995, Johnson the coaching profession as an assistant coach was an intern in the development office at at Lexington High School. He left to become Temple University. a GA at UT-Martin in the spring of 1998 and PAT MEYER STAFF SUPPORT A native of Oxford, OH, Johnson played was hired as the receiver and secondary football, basketball and golf in high school for STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH caoch at Humboldt High School in 1998. University City High School in San Diego (CA) Stowe received the Schol- and Talawanda High School in Oxford (OH). Patrick Meyer, arship at the UM and was on the Dean's List. His fiancee, Erin Kalassay, is a teacher who served for one sea- at Kirby High School in Memphis. son as a graduate as- sistant on head coach TODD STROUD Rip Scherer's staff and one season as the in- HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH terim tight end coach, JASON ROBINSON has been hired fulltime 35 Todd Stroud, as a strength and conditioning coach at the U GRADUATE ASSISTANT the former strength of M. coach for Auburn Uni- Jason Robinson, Meyer came to the Memphis program versity and the head a graduate of the Univer- after playing for the St. Louis Stampede in football coach at West sity of Virginia, will be the 1996 in the Arena Football League. Meyer, Alabama, is entering offensive graduate assis- who was a three-time all-WAC performer at his second year as the tant for Rip Scherer's Ti- Colorado State University, participated in the strength and condition- ger football program. Arizona Cardinals training camp in 1995. ing coach for the University of Memphis. He Robinson will assist the As a player at Colorado State, Meyer was was hired in July of 1997 to work with all the offensive line and will a three-time academic all-WAC award win- Tiger athletic teams. work with coach Mac McWhorter. ner and an Hitachi Promise of Tomorrow After spending most of his professional Robinson received his B.A. degree in Scholarship recipient. During his time at CSU, career as a strength coach, Stroud moved to Biology from UVA in 1996. He played line- Meyer played for former Tiger co-offensive the sidelines and served as the head football backer and defensive end for UVA and par- coordinator and line coach Dave Magazu. coach at the University of West Alabama from ticipated in the Carquest, Independence and Meyer earned his B.S. degree in Exercise 1994-96. Peach Bowls during his collegiate career. Sport Sciences from Colorado State in 1995. Prior to taking the position at West Ala- The native Virginian entered the teach- Meyer is from Girard, OH, where he was bama, the native of St. Petersburg, Florida, ing and coaching profession at Kecoughtan an all-Ohio football player for Girard High worked as the head strength and conditioning High in 1996-97 and moved to Bethel High School. coach for Terry Bowden at Auburn University School in Hampton, VA, in 1998 where worked The workout specialist recently married and was part of their 11-0 finish in 1993. with the offensive and defensive lines. the former Erin Chuey. In addition, he has worked football From 1987 through 1993, Stroud was a camps at Virginia and Virginia Tech. member of Bowden's staff at Samford Univer- sity in Birmingham where he worked as de- Support Staff

came to Memphis in 1970 and received his LEE YERTY undergraduate degree from The U of M in CHRIS WILLIAMS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH 1974. Cantler, the host of cable TV's Trainer's HEAD EQUIPMENT MANAGER Lee Yerty be- Corner for seven years, was inducted into the Chris Williams, a gradu- gins his second season Tennessee Athletic Trainer's Hall of Fame in ate of the University of as a fulltime assistant 1996. He was the state's Trainer of the Year in Memphis, returned to strength and condition- 1994 and received the NATA Athletic Trainer the athletic department ing coach. Service Award in May of 1998. Cantler, who in September of 1990 enjoys singing, received his master's degree Yerty, who as the assistant equip- in health education from The U of M in August ment manager. He was works with all sports un- of 1977. named head equip- der director Todd Cantler and his wife, Jenina, who re- ment manager in 1992. Stroud, had served one year as an adminis- ceived her doctorate degree from the U of M, Williams is responsible for the purchas- trative assistant for women's athletics before have two children, Andrew and Michael. Cantler ing, issuing and maintenance of all athletic he was appointed to his new position. is also the director of Music Ministries at equipment as well as supervising numerous Yerty was the assistant strength coach Underwood United Methodist Church. student managers. Williams also oversees at Washington State from 1985-90 before ac- the day-to-day operations of the equipment cepting the job of marketing director at East- room at South Campus, which services Mem- ern Washington in 1991. Yerty was elevated phis football, baseball, track and golf. to assistant athetic director in 1993 before be- RAY BURR Along with heading up football, Williams coming the recruiting coordinator for volley- has also taken on the additional responsibil- TRAINER ity of overseeing men's basketball. ball in 1995. A graduate of Ridgeway High, Williams Yerty is the husband of Carrie Yerty, Ray Burr, the lettered as a member of the golf team, in ad- Memphis' head volleyball coach. They have head men's basketball dition to working with the Road Runner foot- one son, Wesley. trainer, begins his third ball team as equipment manager. Following season at the University his graduation from Ridgeway in 1983, he of Memphis after serv- came to UM and received his degree in 1988. ing the previous four Williams, and his wife, Lindy, who is cur- JAMES WILKINS years at New Orleans. rently director of admissions at St. Mary's Epis- copal School, have a daughter Alister Eliza- Strength Graduate Assistant While at UNO, Burr SUPPORT STAFF beth Williams. worked closely with former Privateer head Williams is certified by the athletic equip- James Wilkins is coach Tic Price. ment managers association, and is also a full- 36 in his first year as the Burr, 34, was the trainer for men's bas- time member. GA for the Tiger ketball and baseball for four years at New strength & conditioning Orleans. Burr's main duty is with the Tiger program. basketball team, but assists head trainer Ed A graduate as- Cantler with football. BILL SISLER sistant at American In- Prior to his stint at New Orleans, Burr VIDEOGRAPHER ternational College, was an athletic trainer intern at the University Wilkins graduated of Arkansas. While a graduate assistant at from ACI where he lettered for three years at Southern Miss, Burr worked the 1993 NCAA Bill Sisler be- middle linebacker. At ACI he worked with the gins his second year as Outdoor Track and Field Championships and linebackers during the 1998 season. the University of Mem- the '92 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. phis' head Burr has also worked as a trainer for the videographer. Sisler ED CANTLER UCA in Memphis, TN, Team USA's European spent two years as a soccer tour in 1990 and for two years at Slidell graduate assistant be- HEAD TRAINER Memorial Hospital in Slidell, LA. fore being elevated to Burr, who is certified by the National Ath- his current position. Eddie Cantler letic Trainers Association, earned his A native of Fairfax, VA, Sisler graduated is beginning his 29th bachelor's degree from the University of from James Madison where he served as season at the University Southern Miss in 1988. He was a student as- videographer for the Dukes football program of Memphis. Head sistant and graduate assistant trainer at USM for four years. At JMU, Sisler worked under trainer since 1980, current Tiger head coach Rip Scherer and and a student manager and trainer at Copiah- Cantler is in charge of men's basketball coach Lefty Driesell. Sisler Lincoln Junior College in Wesson, MS, all men's sports with earned his bachelor's degree in mass com- football being his pri- where he received his associate degree. munication at JMU. mary duty. Burr, who is single, was born August 9, Sisler is a member of the collegiate Cantler, a native of Bowling Green, KY, 1964, in Greenville, MS. video director's association.