Cox participated in multiple high school all-star events, including the Crab Bowl and Eastern Shore Bowl Game in Maryland. We are aiming to build a solid foundation.. What Utah college football players have entered the transfer portal this spring? The secondary will see the most change, returning practically none of the major contributors from 2021. 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. Joseph McWilliams. In 2021, Justin Miller lined up under center for SUU. Miller has started 17 consecutive contests for SUU, giving Fitzgerald a seasoned quarterback. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Now what weve got to do is find the other five or six pieces on each side of the football. Before BYU, Peterson was an offensive quality control assistant at Rice for two seasons. [3], Southern Utah fielded its inaugural team in 1963 with Bruce Osborne as head coach,[4] remained an NAIA independent through 1968, then became a charter member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). I know you guys are coming off a 1-10 season. Fitzgerald believes that this team will be just the beginning of something great at SUU. The only thing thats going to stop Isaiah Williams is Isaiah Williams, Fitzgerald said. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures. Fitzgerald is less focused on the outcomes of games than he is on his team competing. The Dolphins won 10 conference championships across multiple sports during Bates' tenure. The intersquad scrimmage is set for Saturday, April 16, at 1 p.m and is free to the public. and will lead SUU in their first year in WAC play. The school announced Monday that SUU and Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways after six seasons. The Thunderbirds new coach is confident that he and his staff can make thenecessary changes to turn things around. Prior to his time at Wise, Rosser was a defensive quality control coach at James Madison, where he helped the Dukes to a CAA Championship and FCS playoff appearance. 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. Theyve been winners in college and now theyre graduate transfers, so they bring some much-needed leadership.. The school announced Monday that SUU and Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways after six seasons. 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. Information on each signee, along with a link to the announcement of their signing, can be viewed below. 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. 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. Assistant Wide Receivers Coach. 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. 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. The defensive end led the team with four sacks and added 48 tackles last season. He was a two-time letter winner playing college football at both Grand Rapids Community College and Wayne State University. The Thunderbirds feature a first-time Division I head coach in DeLane Fitzgerald, who moved across the country from D-II Frostburg State (Md.) Bates went to Jacksonville after a two-year stint at Marshall University. [3] History [ edit] 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. 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. Tapasa and his wife, Joanna, reside in St. George and have five daughters. On the offensive line, right guard Lyle Santos is the only current player who started all 11 games last season. The now-redshirt junior threw for 2,416 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with 13 interceptions. Ashby projects to play wide receiver for the Thunderbirds. Purcell will play defensive line at Southern Utah after successfully doing so for Bountiful High School in Bountiful, Utah. Williams led the Thunderbirds averaging 6.2 yards per carry. 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. After his playing career, Brunson spent one season coaching the offensive line under Fitzgerald's leadership. The program has been in steady decline over the past few years under Warren in terms of on-field results. 2023 Football Roster - Southern Utah University Athletics. Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. 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. The Thunderbirds, however, get a fresh start in 2022 when a new era begins under recently hired head coach DeLane Fitzgerald in the schools first season in the Western Athletic Conference. Lockett-Smith makes the long trip to Utah from Philadelphia, where he was recognized as an All-Public First Team All-Star in both 2019 and 2020. He led the Knights to the state championship game where they defeated Utah powerhouse Corner Canyon, 49-42. SOCCER SOFTBALL MEN'S TENNIS WOMEN'S TENNIS MEN'S/WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD VOLLEYBALL 351 W. University Blvd, Cedar City, Utah 84720 Main Phone (435) 865-8355 Fax (435) 865-8078 Staff Directory Members By Category/Department Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. Since then, Tapasa has transitioned into a role as assistant coach overseeing the linebackers for Southern Utah. If you see me yell or make funny faces, its because the pins in these pants have stuck me.. Our players have a better understanding of the offense, defense, and special teams (schemes). 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 Director of Athletics Debbie Corum announced Monday that the university and head football coach Demario Warren have mutually agreed to part ways. Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. In addition to his degree from MSU Mankato, he holds a master's degree in recreation and sports science from Ohio University. Like Magginson, Brunson comes to Southern Utah by way of Frostburg State as both a player and coach. Football 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. 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.. Who is new Runnin Ute Keba Keita and how is Utahs 2022-23 roster shaping up? Corum said the other members of the hiring committee also expressed similar sentiments, stating that they agreed he was the right person for the job. 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. Fitzgeralds confidence doesnt stop with his defense and offense, however, believing he has a great group of specialists going into the season as well. All Rights Reserved, In a new league with a new coach, SUU embracing fresh start. 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. John Kelling- Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach. Kelling started his coaching career at his alma mater, Minnesota State Mankato, from 1992-95, and spent the following two seasons at Augustana College in South Dakota. Kelling coached the defensive backs in his first two seasons before becoming the team's co-defensive coordinator in 2006. His best season came in 2021 when he led the team with 694 yards. USACollegiate football commissioner Mark Brady, far left, and co-founder Dave Arslanian, far right, at a press conference, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News [7] The AWC folded after the 1995 season, and the Thunderbirds were 9231 (.288) overall in those three years. What theyve done in the past does not affect them now. 225-771-3171. A native of Virginia, Fitzgerald played college football for James Madison University then started working as an assistant coach in 2000. The junior running back brings physicality and size to the backfield at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds. Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. The team began spring practices on Monday, March 21, and the . 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. Peterson served as an offensive quality control assistant at Texas from 2010-12, and served as the team's interim running backs coach in the 2012 Alamo Bowl. Fitzgerald is also high on the groundwork he and his staff have laid with the incoming freshmen. (He) played for us last year at Frostburg and had 20 or 30 tackles as a true freshman, Fitzgerald said. A 62-0 loss at the hands of Weber State was the final blow for head coach Demario Warren. 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. Moore had four touchdowns on 48 carries, while Duckett had 179 yards on 54 touches. Information on each individual coach can be readbelow. 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.". 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. 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. And not promising national titles and not promising conference titles and stuff here today, but were going to be extremely competitive. The new faces for the Thunderbirds are Tye Hiatt, Ryan Payne, and Brandon Perkins. Southern Utah. The T-birds lost to rival Weber State last Saturday 62-0 to conclude their 2021 campaign. Peterson played three years of college football, starting as a quarterback for the University of New Mexico in 2007. CEDAR CITY, Utah Southern Utah University head football coach DeLane Fitzgerald has announced his coaching staff for the upcoming season. Rancho Cucamonga, California / Alta Loma HS. CEDAR CITY Southern Utah Universitys newly hired football coach received a warm welcome from players, fans and university officials on Thursday afternoon. In the 2000-2001 school year, SUU's Coaching Factory Hall of Fame was established and will be erected on a wall within the new building. SUU football enters the 2022 season coming off a disappointing year that saw the Thunderbirds finish 1-10 in 2021. Spring practices have been without the top two receiving targets, Ethan Bolingbroke and Brandon Schenks, who are both recovering from injuries. 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. Fitzgerald spoke of the multiplicity of offensive tactics he likes to employ, which he said will typically evolve depending on the players. Copyright 2010 - 2023 StGeorgeUtah.com LLC, all rights reserved. All rights reserved. The OFFICIAL YouTube account for Southern Utah University. 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 . Fairchild was a two-time First Team All-League football and basketball player, and holds multiple school records in track and field. DeLane Fitzgerald announced his first signing class as head football coach at Southern Utah University on Wednesday, as the Thunderbirds inked 23 recruits to national letters of intent. 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. Leausa will join his brother, Austin, as an offensive lineman for Southern Utah. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. He runs around at safety and outside linebacker and hes 6-212 and can run like a deer.. 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. The signees were: Elijah Burns / RB / 5-11 / 205 / William & Mary, Brandon Dillard / OL / 6-4 / 260 / Frostburg State, Micah Pettit / K / 6-1 / 175 / Lafayette College, Mitchell Price / DB / 6-0 / 195 / Brigham Young, Jackson Rigby / TE / 6-4 / 230 / Utah State, Grady Robison / QB / 6-1 / 195 / Western Kentucky, Zach Strand / DL / 5-10 / 250 / Frostburg State. Southern Utah head coach Demario Warren shouts to his team during game against Utah Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. [12] After the 2022 season, the WAC fully merged its football league with that of the ASUN Conference, creating what eventually became the United Athletic Conference, and SUU accordingly moved its football team to the new league.[13][14]. 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. Sean Ellertson is a sports reporter for the St. George Spectrum & Daily News. [10], The Thunderbirds won their first Big Sky championship in 2015, defeating Northern Arizona 4941 in the regular season finale at Cedar City. Southern Utah University College Football Sports In a new league with a new coach, SUU embracing fresh start After successful run as Frostburg State, coach DeLane Fitzgerald arrives in Cedar City with high expectations and with a number of his former players By Tom Ripplinger Sept 1, 2022, 9:00am PDT SHARE After his remarks, Fitzgerald also fielded several questions from the media and football players. His first head coaching job was at Southern Virginia from 2009-13, after which he became the head coach of Frostburg State. Theres a lot of players in this room. Thunderbirds. The Official Facebook Page for Southern Utah University Football #FocusFightFinish #TBirdNation Before meeting coach Fitzgerald in Maryland, Kelling coached at the University of Mary in North Dakota for two seasons in various roles. [4], In 1993, Southern Utah moved up to Division I-AA and joined the American West Conference (AWC) as a charter member. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. Andrew Bates- Strength & Conditioning Coach. All rights reserved. The SUU head coach feels that redshirt senior punter Jake Gerardi could be another NFL-bound player. 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 . All rights reserved. 16 Utah softball gets good measuring stick in series against No. 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. Fitzgerald has a knack for turning around struggling programs, and the Thunderbirds fit that bill. 11/15/2021 9:23:00 AM. 2 UCLA, High school boys soccer: 4A/3A/2A state tournament scores and schedules, Utah States Logan Bonner has 2 tryout chances to earn himself an NFL contract. Brunson played quarterback for the Bobcats in 2019, throwing for 2,067 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding three more touchdowns on the ground. Well have a football program thats based on a culture of competitiveness and competitive greatness.. 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. Follow Sean on Twitter @SeanEllertson. Lynch was a First Team All-CIF Southern selection in 2021, and First Team All-Palomares League in 2019, 20 and 21. Before his brief stint at LHU, Kelling served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Frostburg State University under coach Fitzgerald. 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. Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved. Focus and consistency, if he can get those two down, hes going to be fine.. Davis led. Though a newcomer at the school, he comes to Cedar City with plenty of coaching experience and high expectations. The move comes as SUU is just 1-10 this season, including 0-8 in Big Sky Conference play. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Before the regular season rolls around in late summer, Southern Utah University football will host its Spring Game to culminate the spring training season. At the beginning of his remarks, Fitzgerald joked how his luggage hadnt arrived in time, due to a flight cancellation. The thing with him and Zach Strand is theyve always won. [5] The Thunderbirds were members of the RMAC from 1969 to 1985, with an overall record of 86733 (.540) during that time. Theyre going to be very, very good in four or five years.. Davis led the pack with 71 carries and 313 yards. 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.. 13 talking about this. "I am happy with the way our coaching staff came together," Fitzgerald said. 2023 www.thespectrum.com. Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. The Sammamish, Washington native led Eastlake High School to a 9-2 record as a senior under center. The coaches from last year's staff staying in Cedar City include offensive line coach Aaron Fernandez, wide receivers coach Brady Measom, linebackers coach Solomona Tapasa and defensive line coach Ryan Hunt. Prior to that, he had been a coach in various capacities in the program since 2007. For all the latest on Southern Utah football, follow @SUUFB_ on Twitter, @SUUFB on Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Football Facebook page. I'm excited to build a great college football program with them.". 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.. He also added one interception, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble. Southern Utah University Aug 31 // football Arizona State University Sep 09 // football Brigham Young University Sep 16 // football UC Davis Sep 23 // football Western Illinois University Sep 30 // football University of Central Arkansas Oct 07 // football Tarleton State University Oct 21 // football Austin Peay State University Oct 28 // football Fitzgerald feels he has a strong offensive line, with top talent in redshirt sophomore Lyle Santos at right guard and Frostburg State transfer Brandon Dillard at right tackle. That number was good for fifth on the team. sports@suunews.net During his prep career, Purcell was an All-State Honorable Mention and two-time First Team All-Region selection. 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. 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. SUU is a caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences . Thanks to the departure of Kobe Singleton, Fitzgerald will need to find another lockdown corner. Aaron Brown. Enter your email below to start! Next season will bring a lot of change for SUU football as they move from the Big Sky Conference to the Western Athletic Conference. [2] Lamb served as the head football coach at Southern Utah University (SUU) from 2007 to 2015. Football "These 23 young men are the foundation on which we are going to build a great FCS football program. BYU transfer Mitchell Price should have a big impact on the secondary for Fitzgerald. Southern Utah University coaches and sports staff members surround new SUU athletic director Doug Knuth after news conference announcing his hiring, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards . Before working with the Pirates, Bates was the head strength and conditioning coach at Jacksonville University for nine and a half years. "I am happy with the way our coaching staff came together," Fitzgerald said. Another Utah native, Kelley was the 6A Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-State selection as a defensive end. In his eight seasons at the helm of Frostburg State, Fitzgeralds teams had a combined record of 62-19, including 10-1 this year, when the Bobcats tied for first place in the Mountain East Conference. Top 5 stories on St. George News for Labor Day weekend. In their absence, junior Dallin Brown provided one of the highlights with a one-handed grab during 11-on-11 drills. Griffiths prepped just down the road from SUU at Crimson Cliffs High School in Washington, Utah. Anything we do, were going to finish what we start accountability, punctuality, discipline, all those things are really important to me.. He was also an Academic All-Region honoree. 225-771-3171. ricky.jackson@subr.edu. Aleka Leausa earned All-Region recognition as a sophomore, junior and senior. The American Samoa native also spent time coaching at Western Oregon, Eastern Oregon and Humboldt State. Coming off a 1-10 season and led by an overhauled coaching staff, foundational pieces for the rebuild may be starting to take shape. Magginson was a four-year player for the Bobcat football team and appeared in all 13 games and made two starts as a senior. "Coach Warren has been a cherished. The 2022 staff includes four coaches retained from the previous staff, and six new additions to SUU. 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. He also said he plans to actively recruit top athletes from Arizona, Nevada and Southern California. 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. Jenkins transferred to Southern Utah and will help bolster the Thunderbirds receiving corps in 2022. Measom was a team captain for the Thunderbirds during his tenure and served on the leadership committee, along with putting up impressive stats in the wide receiver position. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. The WAC already includes two other Utah teams, namely Dixie State University and Utah Valley University. "We have a coaching staff that can coach and recruit with anyone in the country. Smith comes to TSU after two seasons as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Southern Utah. As per usual, the school said a nationwide search for Warrens replacement will begin immediately. In three years with the Rebels he amassed 1,159 receiving yards. 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. "Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years," Corumsaid. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Southern Utah University football helmet, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 14, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News . They also have three young grandsons. (The offensive line) will have as big an impact, or bigger, than anybody else, just nobody will know that theyre doing it because theyre playing offensive line.. 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 He finished fourth on the team with 46 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. 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. They had an 83 regular season, with losses to Utah State, South Dakota State, and Portland State; their eight wins were by mostly large margins. He graduated from SUU with a master's of accountancy in 2018. . Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all aspects of an NCAA Division III athletic program. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. 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.