HEAD COACH

Guy “Tripp” Merritt, trips took him to Charlotte’s Garinger now in his fourth season as High School, where the head coach was Davidson’s head football Jimmy Teague. Teague was impressed coach, never expected life with Merritt’s tenacity and presented an would be easy. His experi - irresistible offer. “Come over and help ence in facing adversity us coach, but we can’t pay you any - head-on colors his outlook thing.” on everything, including his It’s a deal. current job with all of its Merritt showed up at Garinger after daunting challenges, which his own college classes and went to the he views as opportunities football offices in the field house. He rather than obstacles. watched tapes, immersed himself in Merritt was born with football strategy, got ready for practice, spina bifida occulta, which and learned all he could from Teague resulted in deformities in his and his assistants. Then he went to prac - lower spine and nerve dam - tice and worked with the players. The age in his left leg. To this smell of the grass on an autumn after - day he has no reflexes in his noon, the popping of the pads, the beau - left leg and back pain sur - ty of watching good things happen faces when he tires, some - when all members of the team were on times causing a slight limp. the same page validated what he His doctors didn’t have an already knew. optimistic outlook, certainly Goodbye business world, hello not for an infant who one coaching. Merritt’s father was not day would dream of playing happy , not initially. But that would athletics at a high level. change. “He’ll never be able to run,” Will Holthouser, an assistant foot - school, I didn’t run very well,” Merritt they told his parents. ball coach at Western Carolina who said. “I wasn’t fast and not very good. Merritt’s father was an assistant recruited the Charlotte area , met Merritt My role was to lead, and my goal was high school football coach and not one in 1990 and was impressed. The meeting simple. I wanted our team to win. I tried to give up hope easily. He worked with resulted in Merritt joining the Western to make sure that every man on the his young son, helped him improve his Carolina staff as a graduate assistant. team got his job done. ” mobility and stamina. That and sheer How could Merritt possibly turn it Even though he loved athletics and determination allowed young Tripp to down? A chance to live in beautiful spent much of his childhood hanging make his way onto the playing field as Cullowhee, nestled deep and secluded around football fields where his father early as second grade – football, basket - in the North Carolina mountains. Not coached, Merritt thought his own career ball, baseball. He played and loved exactly the brightest stage for a young in athletics was over when he graduated them all. His athletic career continued at single guy. But if you want to coach, from Burns in 1986. Time for the real Burns High School in Shelby, N.C., really want to coach, you’ll go where the world, he figured. where he lettered three times in football jobs are. Even if the job description He went to UNC Charlotte to pur - and baseball. He now runs three or four includes baby sitting, washing cars, sue a business degree. His father pushed miles a day. teaching two physical education classes, him in that direction, feeling it was in Don’t tell him he can’t do some - going to school and coaching, all for the his son’s best interests. Tripp’s father thing. Merritt will accept a dare, that’s grand prize of $6,000 a year. That was didn’t find the pot of gold at the end of for certain. Merritt’s deal at Western Carolina. He the coaching rainbow and eventually A trend developed early in his ath - knew even then that young coaches who exited the profession to take a better letic career. Never big enough or fast are picky end up selling insurance. paying job in textiles in Laurinburg, enough to challenge the best of the ath - Merritt did work towards his mas - N.C. The elder Merritt wanted better letes he played with or against, his ter’s degree at Western Carolina and things for his son, as all good fathers do. teammates nevertheless saw something found out for certain something that Tripp was in pursuit of a degree in him that influenced them to elect him was even more important. “I knew I that would set him up in business. His captain of every team he played on from wanted to coach football.” head, and his father, told him that was middle school through his career at He was in bed asleep in his dorm the correct decision. His heart, however, Burns High. He was a team guy, a room at Western Carolina in May 1993 wouldn’t turn loose of his longtime leader, a young man who made his when the telephone rang. It was 5:30 in dream to teach high school history and teammates want to get the most out of the morning. Dave Fagg, the head foot - coach. After fall classes at UNCC, Tripp their ability. ball coach at Davidson, thought every - spent afternoons at area high schools “At 5-7 and 152 pounds in high body got up before the milkman. “I watching football practice. One of those 42 2008 DAVIDSON FOOTBALL HEAD COACH TRIPP MERRITT have a job opening and I want to talk to THE MERRITT FILE three tough venues. you about it. Can you be here tomor - When left the Davidson Full Name : Guy William Merritt III row?” Before Merritt could say he need - football job after the 2004 season, Experience: 4th season ed more time, which was on the tip of Date of Birth : March 5, 1968 Davidson athletics director Jim Murphy his tongue, Fagg said, “Good. I’ll see Hometown : Shelby, N.C. wanted a coach who would be a good you tomorrow.” High School : Burns ’86 leader and flourish in the Davidson cul - Merritt spent the next day with College : Charlotte ’90 ture. He chose Merritt. While hating to Fagg in Davidson. Fagg could sell day- Coaching Assignments : lose Merritt from his staff, Landis wasn’t old, dry and crusty biscuits to a man Garinger (N.C.) High School, 1990 surprised that his friend was getting a Western Carolina Grad. Assistant, 1991-92 dying of thirst. He put the fullcourt Assistant, 1993-99 chance to run his own program. press on Merritt. At precisely 5:30 the St. Mary’s (Calif.) Assistant, 2000-02 “Tripp is an outstanding football next morning, Fagg called again. “I’m Bucknell Associate Head Coach, 2003-04 coach who relates equally well to stu - offering you the job but I need you here Davidson College Head Coach, 2005-Pres dent-athletes, administrators and alum - in two days.” Whoa! Merritt would Head Coaching Record ni,” Landis said. “His players enjoy have to close things out at Western Year School WLPct. Place going out and competing for him, and Carolina, tell everybody he was leaving, 2005 Davidson 46.400 3rd, South the success his program is having is evi - find a place to live in Davidson, move 2006 Davidson 64.600 3rd dence of that. Davidson has been a force all of his stuff, and attend to a hundred 2007 Davidson 64.600 4th to be dealt with each and every week in other details. He needed more time, but Total 16 14 .533 the very competitive Pioneer Football he needed a job more. He rushed his League, and I think 2008 will be no dif - ing the athletes and building the team goodbyes, threw everything he owned ferent.” that would eventually go 10-0 in 2000. — which wasn’t much — into the back Merritt says that his role model at Merritt followed Landis to St. of his car and headed down the moun - Davidson is basketball coach Bob Mary’s in California after the 1999 sea - tain to Davidson. He knew virtually McKillop. son. He served there for three seasons as nobody, had no place to stay, but he had “He has perfected the way to coach recruiting coordinator, linebackers a job, even if he wasn’t exactly sure at Davidson,” Merritt says of the highly coach, and then assistant head coach what it entailed. successful McKillop. “He has been and offensive line coach. Merritt went Davidson put him in the Hampton extremely generous with his time in with Landis to Bucknell in 2003 and Inn in Cornelius, room 204. Temporary talking to me and letting me pick his worked as associate head coach, defen - lodging. In this case “temporarily” brain. I’ve talked to him at length about sive coordinator and recruiting coordi - totaled six months. Three weeks after his early experiences coaching at nator. Bucknell went 7-4 in 2004 and making this big move, Merritt was told Davidson. I’ve learned a lot from him. I ranked in the top 25 of the Football to meet Fagg in the hotel lobby. “I’m also watch as many of his practices as I Championship series in scoring defense. moving on,” Fagg informed him and can.” Landis and Merritt were together defensive coordinator . Fagg Merritt’s coaching philosophy was for 12 seasons. They were successful at gave up football for a job with the also shaped by reading Davidson Athletic Foundation. Merritt and studying. He read a worked for him for exactly three book by Indianapolis weeks. Colts coach Tony Dungy “I had no idea what was going to and “The Carolina Way” happen next,” Merritt recalls. by former North Serendipity intervened. In the Carolina basketball three weeks that Merritt had been at coach Dean Smith, Davidson, he developed a close rela - whose summer camp tionship with Landis. They talked foot - Merritt used to attend. ball constantly. When Landis was Smith’s mantra for 36 named to succeed Fagg, it was an easy years as head coach decision for him to keep Merritt on his was, “Play Hard, Play staff. In the seven years they worked Smart, Play Together,” together at Davidson, Landis gave which Merritt has post - Merritt the chance to do things often ed on his locker room reserved for the head coach. Merritt wall. wore many hats: secondary coach, line - Merritt wants backers coach, defensive coordinator, Davidson football to recruiting coordinator. His defense was win, of course. But he ranked among the best in the nation. also wants it to be fun The program produced eight victories for his players and in 1998 and again in 1999 while recruit - assistant coaches. “I

DAVIDSONWILDCATS.COM 43 HEAD COACH TRIPP MERRITT

believe that if we take “I came back Cats,” because somehow, some way care of all the little to Davidson they’d find a way to win. things on and off the because I love this Merritt has been named Pioneer field, and do the right place,” Merritt League co-coach of the year once. His things mentally, phys - said. “I think it’s Davidson teams have produced records ically, socially and unlike any other of 4-6, 6-4 and 6-4. He sees his program spiritually, winning place in the coun - getting better and closer to challenging will take care of try. I like the way for a Pioneer League championship. itself,” Merritt says. we do things here “We’ve closed the gap on the best He finds value in and why we do teams in the conference,” Merritt said. each of his players, them. I enjoy it so “We’ve beaten Drake and Dayton and Merritt and his wife, Sara. even those – or maybe much that I’m not Morehead State, and were real close last especially those – who will probably looking for the next job. The grass is not year (52-49) against San Diego. We have never play in an important situation. He always greener on the other side. I plenty of work to do, but we’re getting finds a way to praise those players, to learned that from Coach McKillop. The there. We have a chance to be an let them know how important they are trick is to make our own grass as green improved team this year, and expect to to the team’s success. They are very as we possibly can. be. Our kids think they can beat any - much a part of the team, as Merritt sees “There’s a distinct challenge in body.” it, and he wants them to stick it out and coaching football at Davidson. There’s With eight starters returning on enjoy the experience. Such positive rein - no doubt about it, but it also has its offense and the same number on forcement and sense of caring has advantages in that we get young men defense, there is reason for such a bright increased Davidson’s roster size from 69 who have a great work ethic, are smart forecast. when Merritt took the job to the 83 that and of strong character, are highly moti - Merritt and wife Sara are expecting showed up for August practice this year. vated and will find a way to win.” their first child on Sept. 21. They make Even though Merritt has 18 years of Unlike some coaches, Merritt does - their home about five minutes from the college coaching experience, he just n’t get wrapped up in statistics. A large Davidson campus. turned 40. His enthusiasm has no portion of his coaching is by feel. After Merritt’s father died in May 2004. It boundaries, his humility keeps him all, the goal is to win, and that takes was before Tripp became Davidson’s grounded. Run DNA on him and arro - great preparation, dedication, good head coach, an accomplishment that gance would not register. He knows that players, a heaping portion of good luck would have pleased his father greatly. he still has much to learn, so he utilizes – and somebody stepping up to make a But he lived long enough to see his son his coaching staff to the fullest. They play when things are on the line. He progress rapidly through the college plan together, coach together, even get wants each of his teams to earn their coaching ranks and become successful up early on Saturday mornings on home own identify. Last year’s team was and happy in the profession. His initial games to put the field together, arrang - known in inner circles as the “Junkyard disappointment of his son choosing ing the benches and the sideline coaching over business yardage markers before heading off to had long been replaced by the pre-game meal. pride in the achievement. “It’s a tradition here,” Merritt said, From an infant whose not resenting the menial tasks one whit. doctors said he would Merritt figures that as an assistant never run to a head coach coach 80 percent of his time was devot - in college who is in a full ed to football. Now that he’s head sprint to make Davidson coach, he finds that reversed: 80 percent football competitive for of his time is spent on administrative Pioneer League Football matters, putting out fires, speaking, championships. alumni relations, dealing with the That’s Tripp Merritt, media. He coaches Davidson’s special who’s living his dream teams, calling that part of his job his and never takes anything “football outlet.” for granted. He’s grateful He gives much freedom to his for his lot in life and in offensive and defensive coordinators turn tries to make his and tells them that the X’s and O’s are football program fun and their art form. They have the green light a positive experience for to coach and take risks. He’s not reluc - all who join him on the tant to make tough decisions, but he’s journey. also secure enough in his own skin to delegate important tasks to his staff. Written by John Kilgo

44 2008 DAVIDSON FOOTBALL COACHING HISTORY

ALL-TIME COACHING RECORDS Coach Years WLTPct No Coach 1897-99 (3) 351.389 J.A. Brewin 1900-03 (4) 13 11 1 .540 C.R. Williams 1904-05 (2) 861.567 R.S. Graham, J.B. Pollard 1906-07 (2) 733.654 J.H. (Dutch) Levine 1908 (1) 522.667 F.M. Simmons 1909-10 (2) 962.588 Dr. E.W. Holladay 1911 (1) 530.625 W.T. Cook 1912-13 (2) 590.357 R.A. Fetzer 1914 (1) 511.786 W.H. Fetzer 1915-18 (4) 17 11 3 .597 L.B. (Pete) Crayton 1919 (1) 461.409 H.M. (Wooly) Grey 1920-22 (3) 10 15 5 .417 William L. (Monk) Younger 1923-31 (9) 44 38 7 .534 Doc Newton 1932-35 (4) 18 13 5 .569 E.T. (Gene) McEver 1936-43 (8) 21 47 4 .319 William J. Story, Jr. 1946-47 (2) 10 81.553 Charlie Jamerson 1948-49 (2) 5 13 1 .289 1950-51 (2) 4 14 0 .222 William E. Dole 1952-64 (13) 43 66 4 .398 Homer Smith 1965-69 (5) 24 24 0 .500 Dave Fagg 1970-73 (4) 8 32 1 .207 Ed Farrell 1974-84 (11) 36 70 1 .341 1985-89 (5) 4 47 0 .078 Dave Fagg 1990-92 (3) 14 13 0 .519 Fagg Total (7) 22 45 1 .331 Tim Landis 1993-99 (7) 35 36 1 .493 Homer Smith led Davidson to its Joe Susan 2000 (1) 10 001.000 only title in Mike Toop 2001-04 (4) 17 22 0 .436 1969. He went on to serve as the Tripp Merritt 2005-Pres. (3) 16 14 0 .533 Tripp Merritt became the second Davidson coach to offensive coordinator at UCLA, Totals 1897-1943, 1946-2007 (109) 400 535 45 .431 win conference Coach of the Year honors, earning the Alabama and Arizona. He was accolade from the Pioneer Football League in 2006. named the Sporting News Offensive Coach of the Year in 1990.

ALL-TIME COACHING RECORDS BY WINS Coach Years WLTPct 1. William L. (Monk) Younger 1923-31 (9) 44 38 7 .534 2. William E. Dole 1952-64 (13) 43 66 4 .398 3. Ed Farrell 1974-84 (11) 36 70 1 .341 4. Tim Landis 1993-99 (7) 35 36 1 .493 5. Homer Smith 1965-69 (5) 24 24 0 .500 6. Dave Fagg 1970-73, 90-92 (7) 22 45 1 .331 7. E.T. (Gene) McEver 1936-43 (8) 21 47 4 .319 8. Doc Newton 1932-35 (4) 18 13 5 .569 9. W.H. Fetzer 1915-18 (4) 17 11 3 .597 Mike Toop 2001-04 (4) 17 22 0 .436 11. Tripp Merritt 2005-Pres. (3) 16 14 0 .533 12. J.A. Brewin 1900-03 (4) 13 11 1 .540 13. H.M. (Wooly) Grey 1920-22 (3) 10 15 5 .417 Tim Landis, who was 35-36-1 from William J. Story, Jr. 1946-47 (2) 10 81.553 1993-99, is in his sixth season as the Joe Susan 2000 (1) 10 001.000 head coach at Bucknell. 15. F.M. Simmons 1909-10 (2) 962.588 16. C.R. Williams 1904-05 (2) 861.567 17. R.S. Graham, J.B. Pollard 1906-07 (2) 733.654 18. J.H. (Dutch) Levine 1908 (1) 522.667 Dr. E.W. Holladay 1911 (1) 530.625 W.T. Cook 1912-13 (2) 590.357 R.A. Fetzer 1914 (1) 511.786 Charlie Jamerson 1948-49 (2) 5 13 1 .289 24. L.B. (Pete) Crayton 1919 (1) 461.409 Joe Susan led Davidson to its only unde - Crowell Little 1950-51 (2) 4 14 0 .222 feated record in school history. He is in Dave Fagg (right) led the Wildcats in two his eighth season as an assistant coach Vic Gatto 1985-89 (5) 4 47 0 .078 decades, the beginning of the 1970s and the at Rutgers, where he helped the Scarlet 1990s. He is the associate director of the Knights to an 11-2 record in 2006. Davidson Athletic Foundation. DAVIDSONWILDCATS.COM 45 COACHING STAFF

BRETT HAYFORD his father, Phil, coached his high school Chester for three seasons. football team. In August of 1998, he joined the staff Brett Hayford He is married to the former Beth at Princeton, working with former head returns for his 16th Snowden, who is the head athletic train - coach Joe Susan and former assistant season as a Wildcat er at Davidson. They live in coach Mike Clark. Among his duties as coach and 19th on Huntersville with their 9-year-old son an assistant at both schools were recruit - the Davidson cam - Thad. ing, developing the defensive game pus. This is also his plan, scouting reports and all phases of fourth campaign as special teams. He joined the Davidson the assistant head staff in 2000. coach, a title he Clendaniel is married to the former earned when col - Meredith Tarpley, and the couple lives Associate Head Coach league Tripp Merritt in Cornelius with their daughter, Marin, Defensive Line was hired as the who will celebrate her first birthday Oct. 16th Year head coach in 2005. 17. Davidson ’93 Along with the assis - tant head coaching duties, he is responsible for the defen - sive line. Hayford coached the Wildcats to the PFL lead in sacks in 2005 with 24, and the 2006 squad tied for second with 22. He coached the conference’s individual MEADE CLENDANIEL sack leader in 2002 and 2003 in Ryan As the Wildcats’ Tennis ‘03 and Darryl Childers ‘04, defensive coordina - respectively. Davidson led the league in tor for the past eight sacks as a team in 2002 as well, averag - seasons, Meade ing 3.3 per game, Clendaniel has led while no other Davidson to numer - squad had more ous top national sta - than 2.5 an out - tistical rankings. RYAN HEASLEY ing. Three times in Hayford was Davidson’s seven Ryan Heasley instrumental in Defensive Coordinator years as a member of joins the Davidson the emergence of Defensive Backs the Pioneer Football coaching staff for his All-PFL South 9th Year League, the Wildcats first season. He performers Kyle Westchester ’97 have ranked among serves as the Kinsell and Will the top three in the Wildcats’ offensive Funderburg in league in total defense. coordinator and 2005. Kinsell, a In 2000, his first season, Clendaniel offensive line coach. two-time oversaw a defense that ranked third in The 33-year-old Academic All- FCS in scoring defense, fifth in pass effi - Heasley comes to American, had all of 12 tackles in his ciency defense and eighth in rush Offensive Coordinator Davidson from first two seasons, while Funderburg was defense. The Wildcats finished the 2005 Offensive Line Washington just a rookie. An honorable mention All- season with the fifth-most interceptions 1st Year University in St. PFL selection in 2007, Funderburg enters in FCS and was ranked in the top-15 Bethany College ‘99 Louis, where he his senior season having started every nationally in turnovers gained and spent the last five game of his career and recording 18.5 turnover margin that season. The 2006 seasons. He started there as the offen - tackles for loss. Wildcat defense ranked fourth in the sive line coach in 2003 and earned the “Brett knows how to get the most out PFL in total defense and tied for second offensive coordinator title in 2005. of the defensive line,” said head coach with 22 sacks. The Bears won the University Athletic Tripp Merritt. “He has an excellent “Meade really knows his stuff when it Association championship in 2003 and understanding of blocking schemes and comes to a defensive game plan,” said 2004, and the Washington coaching staff how to attack them. Having spent his head coach Tripp Merritt. “He preaches was named the league’s Staff of the Year playing days on the defensive side of an opportunistic approach and does a both seasons. the ball, he is well suited to work with tremendous job of putting the players in The Bears posted a 31-19 during the linemen.” position to succeed.” Heasley’s tenure, including a 7-3 mark Hayford graduated in 1993 from Clendaniel graduated from West in 2007, and 12 offensive linemen were Davidson, where he played two seasons Chester University in 1997 with a degree named all-conference during that time as a defensive lineman and as an out - in biology and spent his senior year as a frame. Washington is one of 15 schools fielder for the baseball team. At student assistant coach for the football at any NCAA level to post 15 consecu - Shorecrest Prep in St. Petersburg, Fla., squad. He also was a fullback for West tive winning seasons. 46 2008 DAVIDSON FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

“Ryan is a young, enthusiastic coach All-American honors from PrepStar TROY STUBBS with a wealth of knowledge and experi - magazine at Ranger in 2000. Troy Stubbs joins ence,” said head coach Tripp Merritt. His expertise paid huge dividends the Davidson foot - “He is a great fit for Davidson College for the Davidson signal callers in 2006 ball staff for his first and our football program.” as the Wildcats ranked seventh in the season and will Prior to joining the staff at NCAA FCS in passing offense, 13th in coach the wide Washington, Heasley was the offensive total offense and 15th in scoring offense. receivers. line coach at Marietta College in Ohio In addition, starting quarterback Ryan Stubbs comes to from 2001-03. After graduating from Alexander ranked fifth in the nation in Davidson from the Bethany College with a degree in physi - passing, sixth in total offense and 35th University of cal education in 1999, he taught at Penn in pass efficiency en route to earning Louisville, where he Hills High School in Pittsburgh from second-team All-PFL honors. He set Assistant Coach served as an offen - 1999-2001. He served as a graduate school records for single-season passing Wide Receivers sive graduate assis - assistant football coach at his alma (2,581) and total yards (2,766). 1st Year tant last season. His mater from 1999- The ‘Cats continued that success in Alabama ’02 responsibilities 2000 and was an 2007, ranking 1 0th in FCS in passing included working assistant coach at offense (279.75 ypg), eighth in comple - with the tight ends, Penn Hill from tions per game (21.88) and 25th in both opponent film breakdown, opponent 2000-01. total offense (290.3 ypg) and scoring and self scouting reports and evaluating Heasley starred offense (31.2 ppg). Alexander became recruiting film. on the offensive Davidson’s career leader in passing The Cardinals ranked sixth in line for Bethany yards, total yards and touchdown pass - Division I FBS in total offense in 2007 from 1995-97, es and set single-game records for com - and fourth in passing offense and earning all-confer - pletion percentage and touchdown pass - placed first in the Big East in both cate - ence honors as a es. gories. junior and senior. Patel began his coaching career as “Troy is very enthusiastic and pas - A co-captain, he an intern at the Philadelphia Eagles’ sionate about the game of football,” said won the Bison training camp head coach Tripp Merritt. “Having been Award, given by in 2005 before around one of the most potent offenses the coaches to the joining the in recent NCAA history, he will bring senior who dis - Davidson staff some creative and innovative ideas to plays the most in 2006. His the table. Based on his work and play - enthusiasm, loyal - knowledge of ing experience, Troy is going to make a ty and effort to and success at wonderful addition to our program.” the program. the position Stubbs began his playing career as a Heasley is currently working towards allows him to wide receiver at the Air Force Academy a master’s degree in education. He and help the in 1996-97 before serving a two-year his wife, Nicole, reside in Davidson Wildcat quar - church mission. He transferred to with their 2-year-old daughter, Emma. terbacks get Alabama where he received a bachelor the most from of science in commerce and business AMISH PATEL their abilities. administration in December 2002 with a “Amish double major in international finance Amish Patel is in has great expe - and Russian. his third campaign rience with a He worked as the quarterbacks terrific football four years at an coach and brings program at investment firm in extensive first-hand Michigan State, Memphis, Tenn., experience as a quar - which gives before getting into terback from his him instant credibility with our play - coaching at playing days at ers,” said head coach Tripp Merritt. “He Louisville. He will Ranger Community has been instrumental in the develop - earn his master’s College and ment of our quarterbacks.” degree in sports Assistant Coach Michigan State Patel earned an associate degree administration Quarterbacks University. from Ranger before graduating from from Louisville in the summer of 3rd Year At Michigan Michigan State in 2003 with a degree in 2008. He and his Michigan State ‘03 State, Patel played psychology. The native of Austin, Texas, wife, Jenny, reside with All-Big Ten per - is single and lives in Davidson. formers Jeff Smoker in Davidson with and Drew Stanton, who both rank in the their three chil - school’s top 10 in career passing. Prior dren, Isaac (7), to joining the Spartans, Patel received Elsa (3) and new - born Lucas. DAVIDSONWILDCATS.COM 47 COACHING STAFF

CURT WILLIAMS JIMMY MEANS Pioneer Football League honors in 2006, and was named second-team FCS Mid- Curt Williams is Jimmy Means Major All-America in 2005. in his 13th season on returns to the “As a former captain at Davidson, Davidson coaching the Davidson staff it’s great to have someone with Patrick’s staff for his third sea - and works with the leadership skills and working knowl - inside linebackers. son and will coach the outside lineback - edge of our defense join the staff,” said In 2006, Williams head coach Tripp Merritt. helped coach a ers in 2008. His expertise FitzGerald was defense that tied for helped Niel a star in the class - second in the PFL in Andrews and Bud room as well, earn - sacks with 22, and Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Crawford emerge as ing CoSIDA inside linebacker Academic All- Inside Linebackers Outside Linebackers defensive forces in Chris Castillo ranked District honors and 13th Year 3rd Year the Pioneer Football eighth in the league Academic All-PFL Charlotte ’78 ‘91 League over the last with 67 tackles. In two seasons. accolades in his 2007, Peter Bakke Andrews was named junior and senior ranked eighth in the PFL in tackles and first-team All-PFL in 2006, while seasons. He was posted 20 stops at Butler, which tied for Crawford earned second-team all-con - also a two-time the seventh-most in an FCS game that ference accolades in 2007. selection to the season. Bakke went on to earn second- Means has a wealth of experience Athletic Directors team All-PFL honors. coaching at the high school level. He has Association FCS served as an assistant coach at North In his first eight years with Academic All-Star team. Mecklenburg since 2000, most recently He graduated from Davidson in Davidson, as the defensive coordinator. 2008 with a degree in history. Williams coached “Jimmy is a good defensive mind a variety of posi - and a very hard worker with a lot of BRAD SMITH tions on the enthusiasm,” said head coach Tripp defensive side of Merritt. Brad Smith the ball and The 1991 graduate of Union College makes his return to coached the line - also spent two years as an assistant at Davidson and joins backers in 1998 Mooresville High School (1999-2000). the coaching staff as on one of the From 1996-98, Means was the head a kicking coach. Wildcats’ best coach at Trimble County High School in Smith completed defensive teams Bedford, Ky. his undergraduate ever. That squad Means lives in Charlotte with his degree in philosophy wife Diane, daughter, Makayla (9), and finished second at Davidson in 2007, son Holden (1). in FCS in scoring but with a year of Assistant Coach defense at 10.4 PATRICK FITZGERALD eligibility remaining, Kicking Coach walked on the foot - points per game Fresh off finish - 1st Year ball team at Southern and fourth in ing his collegiate Davidson ‘07 California in 2008 total defense, career, Patrick while beginning allowing just FitzGerald makes the work on his master’s 231.9 yards per contest. In 1999, the transition from play - degree. defense led FCS in interceptions with 28 er to coach, joining At Davidson, Smith had one of the and was 13th in rushing defense, allow - the Davidson staff most accurate legs in school history and ing 101 yards per game. for his first season. was named an FCS Mid-Major All- “This is my second stint with Curt,” He will serve as a American by Football Gazette and The said head coach Tripp Merritt. “His defensive assistant Sports Network in 2006 to go along with presence gives me a comfort level in Assistant Coach and work closely first-team All-Pioneer Football League that I know what I’ve got with him. He Defensive Assistant with the secondary. honors. has a special bond with the players and 1st Year A four-year let - He ranks eighth on the Davidson is an excellent communicator.” Davidson ‘08 terman for the career scoring chart with 133 points on A 1978 graduate of Charlotte, Wildcats, FitzGerald 24 field goals and 61 extra points. Smith Williams lives in Indian Trail with his played in 39 career was good on 72.7 percent of his field wife, Deborah. games and started the last 30 contests. goal attempts and drilled 61-of-66 point He finished his career as a corner back after tries. with 11 interceptions, 201 tackles and 18 “After finishing his career at USC, pass break-ups. Brad can use his experience at a variety He earned first-team FCS Mid- of levels to tutor our young kicking Major All-America and first-team All- corps,” said head coach Tripp Merritt. 48 2008 DAVIDSON FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF

STAFF ASSISTANT letic trainer Gerry Waddle, who will be Also back help - in his first season working with the ing out on the side - Kristen Foss Davidson football team. joined the staff as an lines is Shaw Smith, The Davidson College Sports assistant last spring an art history profes - Medicine facilities are among the best in and is in her first full sor at Davidson with the region. In the training room, there season as a member an affinity for are many of the modern, technological of the Wildcat foot - Wildcat football. machines that aid in the recovery from ball program. Barnes, Koontz injuries, including ultrasound and elec - In her role as and Smith work tric stimulation. There are also three staff assistant, Foss every practice and whirlpool tubs, a hydroculator and a Shaw Smith handles a variety of home game and trav - paraffin bath. Asst. Equipment Manager Kristen Foss logistics behind the el with the team on OrthoCarolina in Charlotte serves as Football Staff Assistant scenes and is invalu - the road. Davidson’s primary orthopedic consult - able to the coaching ant, and Dr. Don D’Alessandro is the staff, allowing them to focus more on Wildcats’ team physician. Dr. Skip RADIO NETWORK evaluating opponents and recruits Barkley, a general practitioner at rather than administrative details. For a third University Family Physicians, also acts “Kristen’s daily presence helps keep straight season, as one of the department’s primary things running smoothly,” said head Mark Plemmons is physicians. coach Tripp Merritt. “She’s very moti - the voice of vated to make us the best we can be.” Davidson Wildcats Foss lives in Mooresville with her EQUIPMENT football on the radio. sons, Stephen (13) and Michael (10). When it comes “I hope folks right down to it, the enjoy listening to the SPORTS MEDICINE equipment room games as much as I enjoy calling them,” Head athletic keeps all the athletic Mark Plemmons Plemmons said. trainer Beth Hayford, teams prepared to Play-By-Play Voice a 1993 graduate of play. “Since I was four or Wingate, oversees Brian Barmes five years old, I’ve Davidson’s five other begins his third year wanted to call on the full-time, fully-certi - as the head equip - radio so I’m living the dream.” fied licensed athletic The 1981 graduate of the University Brian Barmes ment manager. Prior trainers as well stu - of North Carolina in Chapel Hill holds a Equipment Manager to coming to dent athletic trainers Davidson, Barmes bachelor’s degree in radio, television from UNC Charlotte, was a sales represen - and motion pictures. He brings many Beth Hayford who cover the tative for Riddell as well as served a years experience as a newspaper Head Athletic Trainer school’s 21 intercolle - pair of one-year stints with the Florida reporter and editor and won several giate sports. Bobcats and Georgia Force of the AFL, state press awards for both news and Hayford came to Davidson as an respectively. sports stories. intern in August of 1994 and was pro - Joining Barmes in the equipment Since 2001, he has been the news and moted to assistant athletic trainer in room is faithful assis - sports director for WEGO-AM 1410 in 1996, working with the football, tant Will DuBose, Concord, co-hosting the Bob and Mark lacrosse, soccer and volleyball teams. Morning Show and calling hundreds of In 2002, Hayford was named the head who attended high school football and basketball athletic trainer. In addition to her Fayetteville Tech for games, including four state champi - responsibilities overseeing all medical two years prior to aspects of the athletic program, she joining the Davidson onship contests, and American Legion supervises the strength and condition - staff in the fall of baseball. ing department and 1983. Now in his 26th A native of Asheville, N.C., the equipment room. year, only one coach Plemmons is married to Kimberly Banks Beth and her hus - has been with the Plemmons, who is a registered nurse and an assistant professor of nursing at band, Brett, who is department longer. Jeff Koontz the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences the assistant head Returning for his Asst. Equipment Manager coach of the fourth year on staff is in Concord. They have two children, Davidson football Jeff Koontz. He is a Jordan, a senior chemistry major at team, live in 2005 graduate of Winthrop and complet - UNC-Wilmington, and Dayne, a fresh - Huntersville with ed an internship with the Carolina man at N.C. State University. their 9-year-old son, Panthers. He will take care of the foot - Thad. Gerry Waddle ball equipment needs for the 2008 sea - Assisting Hayford Assistant Athletic Trainer son. will be assistant ath - DAVIDSONWILDCATS.COM 49