SUU is hopeful Fitzgerald can produce similar results in Cedar City. Southern Utah University football helmet, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News . After his playing career, Brunson spent one season coaching the offensive line under Fitzgerald's leadership. Athletic Director: Football Coaching Staff Will Brunson Tight Ends Aaron Fernandez Offensive Line DeLane Fitzgerald Head Coach Ryan Hunt Interior Defensive Line John Kelling Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Shawn Magginson Defensive Ends Shay McClure Linebackers Brady Measom Wide Receivers Blair Peterson Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks The new faces for the Thunderbirds are Tye Hiatt, Ryan Payne, and Brandon Perkins. The team will also be led by new Head Coach DeLane Fitzgerald who made the jump to the FCS level from NCAA Division II powerhouse Frostburg State University. April 16, 2022 - by Chevy Blackburn. Andrew Bates- Strength & Conditioning Coach. DConti@huntsman.utah.edu: Jeff Rudy: Associate A.D. for Football Administration 801-581-8563 801-581-8563: jrudy@huntsman.utah.edu: Adam Fry: Director of Football Operations afry@huntsman.utah.edu: Doug Elisaia: Director of Strength and Conditioning for Football 801-581-4548 801-581-4548: delisaia@huntsman.utah.edu: Robert Blechen Southern Utah head coach Demario Warren shouts to his team during game against Utah Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. Lesa was named Second Team All-State two times and First Team All-Region three times after being a four-year starter for the Bulldogs. Magginson was a four-year player for the Bobcat football team and appeared in all 13 games and made two starts as a senior. The WAC already includes two other Utah teams, namely Dixie State University and Utah Valley University. Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics, SUU students protest HB0011 in support of transgender athletes, SPB ends Sunfest week with Most Fun Friday, Art Challis: The voice of the Thunderbirds, Raising the bar: The legacy of SUU Gymnastics, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnR7Qpa9dTk&ab_channel=SUTV-9News. Theres a lot of players in this room. The 2022 staff includes four coaches retained from the previous staff, and six new additions to SUU. Joining Fitzgerald from Frostburg State, Magginson will work as the defensive ends coach at SUU. From there, he took over at Frostburg State, where he guided the Bobcats from 18 wins during the eight years before his arrival to 62 over the next eight, including four seasons with 10 or more wins. Starting under center for the Thunderbirds is Justin Miller, whose 2,416 passing yards were one of the few bright spots in a tough 2021 season. Following a successful career as a member of the Thunderbird football team, Measom joined the coaching staff at SUU in January of 2017 as a graduate assistant and worked his way into the position of director of operations before being named wide receivers coach. Overall, the T-Birds went 21-42 under Warren. The hiring of Fitzgerald has brought a mass exodus of many familiar faces from last years team, leaving Fitzgerald building through his incoming freshman class and transfer portal. Top 5 stories on St. George News for Labor Day weekend. Southern Utah University 0:03 0:24 DeLane Fitzgerald announced his first signing class as head football coach at Southern Utah University on Wednesday, as the Thunderbirds inked 23. To continue to support his work, please subscribe to The Spectrum. Copyright 2010 - 2023 StGeorgeUtah.com LLC, all rights reserved. Former coaches, alumni hope to reignite magic of junior college Fitzgerald has a knack for turning around struggling programs, and the Thunderbirds fit that bill. Brunson played quarterback for the Bobcats in 2019, throwing for 2,067 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding three more touchdowns on the ground. Iglesias was a three-year starter for Orange. 2023 www.thespectrum.com. "I am happy with the way our coaching staff came together," Fitzgerald said. Southern Utah University and head football coach Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways, per a press release from the school on Monday. BYU transfer Mitchell Price should have a big impact on the secondary for Fitzgerald. The Southern Utah Thunderbirds football (also referred to as the SUU Thunderbirds) program is a college football team that represents Southern Utah University (SUU). He runs around at safety and outside linebacker and hes 6-212 and can run like a deer.. He was also a dedicated student in the classroom, earning Academic All-Region honors. Blair Peterson- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach. The defensive end led the team with four sacks and added 48 tackles last season. In 2021, Justin Miller lined up under center for SUU. As NFL Draft hopeful Braxton Jones continues to prepare for his professional career, Southern Utah must find a new blindside protector for whoever takes snaps under center. A native of Erda, Utah, he is a graduate of Tooele High School, where he was an all-state and all-region performer. Tyler Smith (@coach_tsmith17) | Twitter Demario Warren out as Southern Utah head football coach after six seasons, Southern Utah University tabs DeLane Fitzgerald as next head football coach, Southern Utah announces first signing class under coach DeLane Fitzgerald, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. SUU parting ways with head football coach Demario Warren, Southern Utah University, return of football included in Western Athletic Conference expansion, SUU football conference schedule moved to spring 2021 after Big Sky announcement, Men's advocacy group, others put on high heels for sexual assault awareness walk in St. George, Getting to know your chakras: A guide for health and well-being. UNLV wide receiver Steve Jenkins runs after a catch during game against San Diego State, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Las Vegas. Strand was named Mountain East Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, while Bemiy, who made the All-WAC preseason defensive team, has the tools to play in the NFL, according to Fitzgerald. The Thunderbirds new coach is confident that he and his staff can make thenecessary changes to turn things around. For all the latest on Southern Utah football, follow @SUUFB_ on Twitter, @SUUFB on Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Football Facebook page. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Southern Utah. "That's our deepest group right there in terms of talent, Fitzgerald said. Football Coaches - Southern Utah University Athletics The program will enter the WAC next season. Kenan Smith - Wide Receivers Coach - Football Coaches SUU joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), already home to regional rival Utah Tech, in 2022. and will lead SUU in their first year in WAC play. After playing on the varsity squad for four seasons, Lynch was honored as both the Offensive MVP and Team MVP. Coach Fernandez also served as the team's recruiting coordinator for 5 years. Defensive Graduate Assistant. 225-771-3171. ricky.jackson@subr.edu. Bates joins Southern Utah after serving one season as the strength and conditioning coach for Hampton University. Southern Utah football names former Dixie State head coach as new TicketSmarter: Official Ticket Resale Partner, George S. Eccles Sports Performance Center, Gerardi Earns Spot at Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Mini-Camp, ASUN-WAC Football Partnership Formally Rebrands As The United Athletic Conference, Southern Utah Football Spring Game Preview, Thunderbirds Football Signs Big '23 Class, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital. Follow Sean on Twitter @SeanEllertson. Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? [7] The AWC folded after the 1995 season, and the Thunderbirds were 9231 (.288) overall in those three years. On the offensive line, right guard Lyle Santos is the only current player who started all 11 games last season. 225-771-3171. aaronmicha700@gmail.com. The T-Birds also signed a number of players as transfers, including a number of former Utah high schoolers and in-state transfers from BYU and elsewhere. TicketSmarter: Official Ticket Resale Partner, George S. Eccles Sports Performance Center, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital, Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks Coach, Running Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Linebackers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator, Interior Defensive Line Coach/Director of Football Operations, Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning. Before his brief stint at LHU, Kelling served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Frostburg State University under coach Fitzgerald. John Kelling- Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach. Hatitio will look to help bolster the SUU offensive line after a successful high school career at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper. Ahead of the 2016 season Tapasa was brought to Cedar City to serve as SUU's Co-Defensive Coordinator and coach the linebacking unit. A native of Virginia, Fitzgerald played college football for James Madison University then started working as an assistant coach in 2000. The 2021 running back position was a revolving door for Southern Utah. [2] Lamb served as the head football coach at Southern Utah University (SUU) from 2007 to 2015. He was a two-time letter winner playing college football at both Grand Rapids Community College and Wayne State University. Since then, Tapasa has transitioned into a role as assistant coach overseeing the linebackers for Southern Utah. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [5] The Thunderbirds were members of the RMAC from 1969 to 1985, with an overall record of 86733 (.540) during that time. New head coach DeLane Fitzgerald addresses his team following Wednesday's practice. They were an independent for eight years,[8] then became a charter conference member again in 2004 with the Great West Conference (GWC). SUU football to kick off 2022 season with Spring Game Francis Bemiy is on every teams radar for the 2023 draft, said Fitzgerald. Freshman class shines, Miller rises to occasion in Southern Utah In 2017, Southern Utah won their second Big Sky title, finishing the regular season at 92, with wins over four ranked (FCS) teams: Northern Iowa, Weber State, Eastern Washington, and NAU. TicketSmarter: Official Ticket Resale Partner, George S. Eccles Sports Performance Center, Gerardi Earns Spot at Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Mini-Camp, ASUN-WAC Football Partnership Formally Rebrands As The United Athletic Conference, Southern Utah Football Spring Game Preview, Thunderbirds Football Signs Big '23 Class, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital. CEDAR CITY, Utah Southern Utah University head football coach DeLane Fitzgerald has announced his coaching staff for the upcoming season. [10], The Thunderbirds won their first Big Sky championship in 2015, defeating Northern Arizona 4941 in the regular season finale at Cedar City. The Spring Game will start with a practice first at 1 p.m. and the intersquad game will start after an hour at the Eccles Coliseum and is free to attend. At the beginning of his remarks, Fitzgerald joked how his luggage hadnt arrived in time, due to a flight cancellation. Sean Ellertson is a sports reporter for the St. George Spectrum & Daily News. All rights reserved. Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years, SUU athletic director Debbie Corum said in a statement. Anything we do, were going to finish what we start accountability, punctuality, discipline, all those things are really important to me.. Commitment to student-athletes and their academic success, as well as athletic . Our right guard and right tackle can play with the best of em, Fitzgerald said. Demario has laid a strong foundation and we will begin work immediately to find the right person to continue building a successful program as we enter the Western Athletic Conference.". And then after we show up, were going to work our rear ends off to be really, really good while were there., He said he promised SUU, Cedar City and Southern Utah that everything they do is going to be done at an extremely high rate., Were going to finish what we start. The school announced Monday that SUU and Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways after six seasons. Southern Utah Football (@SUUFB_) / Twitter What theyve done in the past does not affect them now. He also said he plans to actively recruit top athletes from Arizona, Nevada and Southern California. Redshirt sophomore Aubrey Nellems notched 48 tackles as well and looks to see an increased role as the most experienced returning linebacker. In December 2022, he was named as the head football coach at the University of Northern Colorado. The Thunderbird football program got longer, stronger and faster today.". Fitzgerald believes that this team will be just the beginning of something great at SUU. Football Jones was a 2x All-Big Sky First Team Selection and was an Associated Press FCS First Team All-American. The Thunderbirds play their home games on campus at Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, Utah, and have been led by head coach DeLane Fitzgerald since 2021. He also spent time at Michigan State and Wayne State. Along with its game against Utah, SUU will play two other in-state games, both against fellow WAC foe Utah Tech with the initial matchup coming at home and a second on the road. Bolingbroke and Schenks are slated to come back in the fall but both will miss the Spring Game due to injuries. After working with the defense for his first four years coach Fernandez made the jump to the offensive side of the ball in 2013 where he coached the Tight Ends and Coordinated the Special Teams for two years. A big part of spring ball is the learning and getting a feel for what we want. We go into games trying to block a punt and trying to return a punt for a touchdown, he said, calling such plays the quickest way to win a football game., We will be exciting, he added. The American Samoa native also spent time coaching at Western Oregon, Eastern Oregon and Humboldt State. All Rights Reserved, In a new league with a new coach, SUU embracing fresh start. He finished fourth on the team with 46 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Fitzgerald believes Dunn might be the most talented player on his defense. After going 9-3 in Warrens second season in 2017 (6-5 in his first) and winning the Big Sky title, SUU has gone a paltry 6-34 since. One of those positives is UNLV transfer Steve Jenkins at wide receiver. In 2015 he moved to the offensive line. 2023 www.thespectrum.com. His first head coaching job was at Southern Virginia from 2009-13, after which he became the head coach of Frostburg State. Everything you see on me right now was first purchased at Christensens about 30 minutes ago, he said of his new suit. He served as team captain of the track and field team and won his school's Student-Athlete Leadership Award and Community Service Award. In his three years with the Cougars, Price only tallied five total tackles, but the Pleasant Grove native will be a key fixture with plenty of young faces in the Thunderbird secondary. . The T-birds lost to rival Weber State last Saturday 62-0 to conclude their 2021 campaign. "Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years," Corum said. As this goes on, getting these young men to buy in and we start running like a well-oiled machine, we will get more and more exciting.. Fitzgeralds confidence doesnt stop with his defense and offense, however, believing he has a great group of specialists going into the season as well. It is important to me that everybody in this program gets a clean slate, said Fitzgerald. Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. With Davis, Duckett, and Moore III all off the 2022 roster, the door is open for Williams to become the go-to option. Tye Hiatt will be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Ryan Payne will be the new offensive line coach, and Brandon Perkins is set to be the . In his time at WKU, Robison was on the practice squad and learned under record-setting quarterback Bailey Zappe. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Us older guys just have to make sure we set the standard high and consistently do the right things everyday, said redshirt sophomore Lyle Santos. Who is new Runnin Ute Keba Keita and how is Utahs 2022-23 roster shaping up? Karris Davis, Isaiah Williams, Thomas Duckett, and David Moore III all received over 40 touches on the ground. Prior to that, he had been a coach in various capacities in the program since 2007. "Coach Warren has been a cherished. Coach Hunt has worked with both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Linebackers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator 435-586-5470 435-586-5470: shaymcclure@suu.edu: Shawn Magginson: Defensive Ends Coach 435-586-5470 435-586-5470: shawnmagginson@suu.edu: Ryan Hunt: Interior Defensive Line Coach/Director of Football Operations 435-586-5470 435-586-5470: hunt@suu.edu: Will Brunson: Tight Ends Coach Assistant Wide Receivers Coach. Fitzgerald spoke of the multiplicity of offensive tactics he likes to employ, which he said will typically evolve depending on the players. sports@suunews.net Our players have a better understanding of the offense, defense, and special teams (schemes). Thanks to the departure of Kobe Singleton, Fitzgerald will need to find another lockdown corner. 2023 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, "Branding & Creative - Marketing Communication", "NCAA Sports Sponsorship: Southern Utah University", "DeLane Fitzgerald Named Head Football Coach at Southern Utah", "Southern Utah now part of American West", "Great West football conference announces formation", "SUU football: T-Birds earn program's first Big Sky championship", "WAC Announces Expansion, Plans to Reinstate Football", "ASUN And WAC Unveil 2023 Football Schedule", "ASUN-WAC Football Partnership Formally Rebrands as the United Athletic Conference", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Southern_Utah_Thunderbirds_football&oldid=1150979373, American football teams established in 1963, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 21 April 2023, at 05:17. Coach Tapasa played college football at Portland State and graduated with a bachelor's degree in pre-law before going on to receive his master's degree in health education from Western Oregon in 2006. CEDAR CITY, Utah Southern Utah University Director of Athletics Debbie Corum announced Monday that the university and head football coach Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways. 351 W. University Blvd, Cedar City, Utah 84720 Tosh Wright and Jordan Jefferson each could add to the revamped backfield. After his remarks, Fitzgerald also fielded several questions from the media and football players. Karris Davis, Isaiah Williams, Thomas Duckett, and David Moore III all received over 40 touches on the ground. From 2004-11, Kelling coached at the University of North Dakota where he faced the Thunderbirds on multiple occasions. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Joseph McWilliams. The win-loss record doesnt matter to me right now, he said. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Iglesiaswas named First Team All-Orange County after leading the state of California in sacks during the regular season. Coming off a 1-10 season and led by an overhauled coaching staff, foundational pieces for the rebuild may be starting to take shape. We have four or five good players on each side of the ball. "We have a coaching staff that can coach and recruit with anyone in the country. Fitzgerald also said he plans to focus on the 15, meaning the Interstate 15 corridor that bisects Utah, as the starting geographic basis for the teams recruitment efforts. Focus and consistency, if he can get those two down, hes going to be fine.. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all aspects of an NCAA Division III athletic program. As per usual, the school said a nationwide search for Warrens replacement will begin immediately. Rosser also worked with the defensive backs at the University of Virginia-Wise from 2016-19. With the success, head coach Ed Lamb joined the staff at Brigham Young in Provo and defensive coordinator Demario Warren was promoted.[11]. Southern Utah Thunderbirds Add Three New Faces To Coaching Staff We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. SUU averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on the ground. Our recruiting class is the sleeper group in the country, he said. Fitzgerald is also high on the groundwork he and his staff have laid with the incoming freshmen. Leausa will join his brother, Austin, as an offensive lineman for Southern Utah. The Dolphins won 10 conference championships across multiple sports during Bates' tenure. Sanders' work in the classroom was also recognized during high school with an Academic All-Region selection. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. SUU is a caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences . 11/15/2021 9:23:00 AM. The Pac-12 and SEC commissioners will be bringing NIL issues to lawmakers, High school girls golf: 3A region recaps, Richfield, Morgan, Union and Judge Memorial claim region titles, High school boys soccer: 3A/2A second round recap from Wednesdays games, It reportedly wont be long until the Mountain West Conference eliminates divisions, Change may be on the way for the transfer portal and college football recruiting. Fitzgerald thanked Corum, along with SUU Interim President Mindy Benson, Senior Associate Athletic Director Jeff Tukuafu and the rest of the hiring committee, and said hes looking forward to getting started right away on the process of building his staff by hiring coordinators and assistant coaches. Hes going to play safety and hes going to run around and make 40-60 tackles for us,Fitzgerald said. Director of Football Operations / Player Personnel. He left the school as the winningest coach in program history. Ryan Hunt- Interior Defensive Line Coach/Director of Football Operations. The Southern Utah University football team is a team in transition. Acord comes to Cedar City by way of Northridge High School in North Salt Lake, Utah. All rights reserved. Well have a football program thats based on a culture of competitiveness and competitive greatness.. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. High school girls golf: Week 8 region recap from some 6A, 5A, 4A and 3A regions. Miller is now joined in the quarterback room by redshirt freshmen Jackson Berry and Rand Jensen, and Western Kentucky transfer Grady Robison. Southern Utah Thunderbirds football - Wikipedia Staff Directory - Southern Utah University Athletics Speaking to players, students, alumni and members of the press and public during a half-hour introductory news conference inside SUUs student center, Fitzgerald promised to bring a culture of competitiveness to SUUs football program. Robison was graded as a three-star quarterback in the 2020 cycle, and the 73rd best dual-threat quarterback in the class. Southern Utah Football Spring Recap - Southern Utah University Athletics CEDAR CITY, Utah - Coach DeLane Fitzgerald sat down Wednesday morning to discuss Spring Camp, the roster, the 2023 spring game, and the transfer portal. The new T-Birds are made up of 15 signees straight from high school and eight transferring from previous colleges. Guys, well not be 1-10 again, OK, he said. The Southern Utah University Thunderbirds will be looking for a new head football coach. The Southern Utah University football team is a team in transition. Before joining the Thunderbird coaching staff, Tapasa served as defensive line coach at Sacramento State. Fernandez joined the staff as an undergraduate assistant in 2009 following a stellar career as a Thunderbird player. That number was good for fifth on the team. His impact on Frostburg State was unprecedented. Information on each individual coach can be readbelow. Head Coach Men's & Women's Swimming and Diving in Chicago, IL for and will lead SUU in their first year in WAC play. Starting with the 2022-23 school year, SUU will be exiting the Big Sky Conference and joining the Western Athletic Conference. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. The spring game will offer a glimpse into what the quarterback situation may look like. All rights reserved.
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