Always putting the program ahead of his own desires, he has made a decision that it is time to step aside and make room for another coach to lead the team, and I support him in this decision.. Can Weber State get back on top of the Big Sky? TicketSmarter: Official Ticket Resale Partner, George S. Eccles Sports Performance Center, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital, Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations/COO, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Events, Deputy Athletic Director for Finance & Administration, Senior Associate AD for Revenue Generation, Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Communications (FB, GYM, SB), Director of Athletic Academic Performance, Orthopedic Surgery- Intermountain Healthcare, Assistant Director of Communications (SOC, MBB, M/WGOLF), General Manager-Van Wagner College-Southern Utah University Athletics, 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, Assistant Coach (Multis, Hurdles, Pole Vault). The T-birds lost to rival Weber State last Saturday 62-0 to conclude their 2021 campaign. And this man did.. Aaron Brown. A native of Virginia, Fitzgerald played college football for James Madison University then started working as an assistant coach in 2000. In their absence, junior Dallin Brown provided one of the highlights with a one-handed grab during 11-on-11 drills. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Assistant Wide Receivers Coach. 0:24 Southern Utah University football has announced the hiring of former Dixie State head coach Shay McClure as the team's linebackers coach. Head Coach Men's & Women's Swimming and Diving in Chicago, IL for He finished fourth on the team with 46 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Doug Knuth named SUU's new athletic director - Cedar City News The seven football members include Dixie State and Tarleton State, who both moved up to the Division I level last summer, Southern Utah and the other four schools joining the league Texas schools Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin, which are all moving over from the Southland Conference. "Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years," Corumsaid. Needing to plug multiple gaps along the line has left spots open for competition. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Fitzgerald spoke of the multiplicity of offensive tactics he likes to employ, which he said will typically evolve depending on the players. 2022 will mark Fernandez's 14th season at Southern Utah, and 11th as a full-time assistant. Acord also played wide receiver during high school and was a First Team All-Region performer. The school announced Monday that SUU and Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways after six seasons. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. He left the school as the winningest coach in program history. Illinois Tech, an NCAA Division III program located in Chicago, is actively searching for a Head Coach Men's & Women's Swimming and Diving. The Southern Utah University Thunderbirds will be looking for a new head football coach. 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. Williams added another four scores on just 32 attempts for 206 yards. 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. Southern Utah University football helmet, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News . Top 5 stories on St. George News for Labor Day weekend. Southern Utah Announces Football Coaching Change The end of the 2021 season marked the conclusion of Warren's sixth year as head coach of the Thunderbirds, and 14th year with the program overall. Tosh Wright and Jordan Jefferson each could add to the revamped backfield. The 45-year-old Fitzgerald also talked about how important football has been to him throughout his life, starting at about the age of 7. SUU is a caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences . Kelling was named Football Gazette's Division II National Defensive Player of the Year in 1991 during his playing days. Southern Utah football names former Dixie State head coach as new Tyler Smith (@coach_tsmith17) | Twitter The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The Thunderbirds feature a first-time Division I head coach in DeLane Fitzgerald, who moved across the country from D-II Frostburg State (Md.) What a move to the WAC means for Southern Utah athletics aaronmicha700@gmail.com. [9], In November 2010, Southern Utah announced its admission to the Big Sky Conference, effective in 2012. 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. Rosser also worked with the defensive backs at the University of Virginia-Wise from 2016-19. SUU bolstered its defense at the safety position this offseason through transfers Mitchell Price arriving from BYU, Tre Caine from UNLV and Josh Dunn from Frostburg State. And not promising national titles and not promising conference titles and stuff here today, but were going to be extremely competitive. Blair Peterson- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach. 351 W. University Blvd, Cedar City, Utah 84720 225-771-3171. The Dolphins won 10 conference championships across multiple sports during Bates' tenure. The team began spring practices on Monday, March 21, and the Spring Game allows a preview into what can be expected for next season. On the other side of the defensive line, Strand was a 2x First Team Mountain East selection and Mountain East Defensive Player of the Year under Fitzgerald at Frostburg State. Peterson played three years of college football, starting as a quarterback for the University of New Mexico in 2007. 2023 www.thespectrum.com. Smith comes to TSU after two seasons as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Southern Utah. Southern Utah football spring practices: Thunderbirds rebuilding on the The T-Birds went 1-10 and 0-8 in Big Sky play in 2021. They also have three young grandsons. Weve revamped our roster, he said. On the defensive side of the ball, the Thunderbirds will be anchored by senior defensive ends Zach Strand, who also followed Fitzgerald from Frostburg State, and Francis Bemiy. Before Fitzgeralds remarks, SUU Athletic Director Debbie Corum talked about the hiring process and said Fitzgerald had been chosen from a nationwide field of more than 100 applicants. He led a Southern Virginia team to its second-ever winning season in 2013 with an 8-2 record. During his prep career, Purcell was an All-State Honorable Mention and two-time First Team All-Region selection. Southern Utah University football spring game photo gallery. SUU football: New league, new coach T-birds look get to back on track 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. Our right guard and right tackle can play with the best of em, Fitzgerald said. In fact, the 2022 roster is slated to have about 40 freshmen. 'We will be exciting': SUU welcomes new head football coach Fitzgerald is less focused on the outcomes of games than he is on his team competing. One of those positives is UNLV transfer Steve Jenkins at wide receiver. Theyve been winners in college and now theyre graduate transfers, so they bring some much-needed leadership.. The 2021 running back position was a revolving door for Southern Utah. His impact on Frostburg State was unprecedented. Guys, well not be 1-10 again, OK, he said. 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 also said he plans to actively recruit top athletes from Arizona, Nevada and Southern California. With a history dating back to 1963, SUU currently competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision[2] as a member of the United Athletic Conference. Warren leaves SUU with an overall record of 21-42, and led the T-Birds to a Big Sky Conference championshipin2017 during his tenure as head coach. SUU football to kick off 2022 season with Spring Game [6] While in the WFC from 1986 to 1992, the Thunderbirds' overall record was 41341 (.546). The Thunderbirds will begin their 11-game 2022 season at home against St. Thomas before facing a tall task against Utah in Salt Lake City. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures. Southern Utah University - YouTube "Coach Warren has been a cherished. Newly hired Southern Utah University football coach DeLane Fitzgerald is flanked by SUU Athletic Director Debbie Corum, SUU Interim President Mindy Benson and SUU cheerleaders, Cedar. The intersquad scrimmage is set for Saturday, April 16, at 1 p.m and is free to the public. I know you guys are coming off a 1-10 season. Sean Ellertson is a sports reporter for the St. George Spectrum & Daily News. [3] History [ edit] Outside of my wife and kids, my three beautiful daughters I dont think about anything else but football, he said. 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. Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. Story by: Christian Esparza No stranger to the state of Utah, Peterson comes to Southern Utah by way of Brigham Young University where he has worked with quarterbacks as an offensive analyst since 2019. In addition to his degree from MSU Mankato, he holds a master's degree in recreation and sports science from Ohio University. Hatitio will look to help bolster the SUU offensive line after a successful high school career at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. SUU had just five wins in Warrens final three seasons. The Thunderbirds have appeared in the FCS playoffs three times with an overall record of 03. 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 SUU will see how its crop of newcomers and returning players will mesh during their spring game on April 15. Offensively, starting quarterback Justin Miller is returning alongside his leading receivers Ethan Bolingbroke and Brandon Schenks. Demario has laid a strong foundation, Corum said in her statement, and we will begin work immediately to find the right person to continue building a successful program as we enter the Western Athletic Conference.. From 2004-11, Kelling coached at the University of North Dakota where he faced the Thunderbirds on multiple occasions. It marked the fourth-straight losing season for the school and the second time in as many seasons that it finished with just one win. Forty percent of Utah's high school football coaches are from SUU; that's twice as much as the University of Utah and BYU combined. Enter your email below to start! We have to find the other half and then we have to find some depth., More:Southern Utah announces first signing class under coach DeLane Fitzgerald. New faces on the staff for the upcoming season include offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Blair Peterson, defensive coordinator and safeties coach John Kelling, defensive ends coach Shawn Magginson, tight ends coach Will Brunson, cornerbacks coach Nick Rosser and Andrew Bates, who will serve as the football team's strength and conditioning coach. Warren was named head coach in 2016 after spending the two previous seasons as defensive coordinator. All rights reserved. [2] Lamb served as the head football coach at Southern Utah University (SUU) from 2007 to 2015. In 2015 he moved to the offensive line. [10], The Thunderbirds won their first Big Sky championship in 2015, defeating Northern Arizona 4941 in the regular season finale at Cedar City. Iglesiaswas named First Team All-Orange County after leading the state of California in sacks during the regular season. [7] The AWC folded after the 1995 season, and the Thunderbirds were 9231 (.288) overall in those three years. The 2021 running back position was a revolving door for Southern Utah. Prior to that, he had been a coach in various capacities in the program since 2007. At the beginning of his remarks, Fitzgerald joked how his luggage hadnt arrived in time, due to a flight cancellation. "We have a coaching staff that can coach and recruit with anyone in the country. Peterson is originally from San Antonio, Texas, and is joined in Cedar City by his wife, Camille, and daughter, Brooklyn. Before BYU, Peterson was an offensive quality control assistant at Rice for two seasons. BYU wide receiver Kody Epps is reportedly heading to the transfer portal, No. The 2022 staff includes four coaches retained from the previous staff, and six new additions to SUU. The thing with him and Zach Strand is theyve always won. He said they will do things the right way, adding that his players will be diligently attending class, weightlifting sessions, study hall, meetings and practices. After his playing career, Brunson spent one season coaching the offensive line under Fitzgerald's leadership. Rosser played his college football at James Madison from 2000-01 and earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from JMU in 2003. "Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years," Corum said. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Director of Football Operations / Player Personnel. The school announced Monday that SUU and Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways after six seasons. Fitzgerald joked that part of Price's recruitment was that Price would hold off his honeymoon until after the spring season. Andrew Bates- Strength & Conditioning Coach. Lynch was a First Team All-CIF Southern selection in 2021, and First Team All-Palomares League in 2019, 20 and 21. 13 talking about this. 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. "I am happy with the way our coaching staff came together," Fitzgerald said. He was also a dedicated student in the classroom, earning Academic All-Region honors. 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.". With a new coaching staff working to establish a winning culture, veteran players are expected to lead by example. Sanders' work in the classroom was also recognized during high school with an Academic All-Region selection. John Kelling- Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach. Southern Utah head coach Demario Warren shouts to his team during game against Utah Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. Rancho Cucamonga, California / Alta Loma HS. All rights reserved. He has a chance to be as good as he wants to be. Before his brief stint at LHU, Kelling served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Frostburg State University under coach Fitzgerald. Karris Davis, Isaiah Williams, Thomas Duckett, and David Moore III all received over 40 touches on the ground. CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah University head football coach DeLane Fitzgerald has announced his coaching staff for the upcoming season. Kelling joins the Southern Utah staff after serving as head coach at Lock Haven University since January of 2020. Southern Utah quarterback Justin Miller throws a pass during game against Arizona State on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. Miller was one of the few bright spots on a Thunderbird team that finished the 2021 season with a 1-10 record. Southern Utah Football | Cedar City UT - Facebook "These 23 young men are the foundation on which we are going to build a great FCS football program. Williams led the Thunderbirds averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Thunderbirds. FOOTBALL Coaches - Southern University All rights reserved. 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. But if youre trying to break it down, were going to be 45% run, 45% pass, and then the jet sweep stuff and option will be about 10%, he said. He was also an Academic All-Region honoree. The move comes as SUU is just 1-10 this season, including 0-8 in Big Sky Conference play. and will lead SUU in their first year in WAC play. He runs around at safety and outside linebacker and hes 6-212 and can run like a deer.. Our players have a better understanding of the offense, defense, and special teams (schemes). SUU parting ways with head football coach Demario Warren The next time Southern Utah football takes the field at Eccles Coliseum, it will do so as a member of the Western Athletic Conference with the school set to join the new league in July of 2022. The move comes as SUU is just 1-10 this season, including 0-8 in Big Sky Conference play. 225-771-3171. ricky.jackson@subr.edu. The Thunderbirds new coach is confident that he and his staff can make thenecessary changes to turn things around. Though a newcomer at the school, he comes to Cedar City with plenty of coaching experience and high expectations. 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. After his remarks, Fitzgerald also fielded several questions from the media and football players. 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. 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 What Utah college football players have entered the transfer portal this spring? 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. Focus and consistency, if he can get those two down, hes going to be fine.. Bates joins Southern Utah after serving one season as the strength and conditioning coach for Hampton University. The WAC already includes two other Utah teams, namely Dixie State University and Utah Valley University. Davis led the pack with 71 carries and 313 yards. 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.