Murray State University Athletics
Football Announces 2009 Coaching Staff
3/15/2009 5:00:00 AM | Football
Murray State head football coach Matt Griffin has announced his coaching staff for the 2009 season. The staff includes the reshuffling of returning coaches and the addition of four new coaches to the staff. New members of the staff include Bryan Cross, Wayne Dabbs, Mark Lister and Brad White.
“I am very excited about the new additions to our staff,” said Griffin. “They will make an immediate impact with a wealth of experience and enthusiasm.”
Defensive Coaches
Mark Lister (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers)
A familiar face rejoins coach Griffin's staff as Mark Lister was named the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. Lister replaces Rich Nagy who accepted a similar position at Hofstra. Lister originally joined Griffin's staff as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at UT Martin in 2004, before coming to MSU in 2006 as the team's secondary coach. Lister's 2005 UTM defense ranked first in the OVC and 25th nationally.
Lister's recruiting areas include Western Kentucky and Central Tennessee.
“We are thrilled to have Mark back as defensive coordinator,” said Griffin. “He is an outstanding teacher and excellent recruiter. He understands the expectations for our program, more importantly he knows our players and what they do well.”
Johnny Jernigan (Defensive Line)
One of the last remaining members of Griffin's initial staff at MSU, Johnny Jernigan returns for his fourth season as the team's defensive line coach. Jernigan has served as Griffin's defensive line coach since 2003. Last season, the Racer defensive line combined for 16 sacks, led by All-American Austen Lane's school-record 12.
Jernigan's recruiting areas include Memphis, Tenn. and Houston, Texas.
“Johnny will continue his work with the defensive front,” said Griffin. “He has done a great job developing this group over the past three seasons.”
Brad White (Safeties)
Brad White joins the Racer coaching staff this season after spending the 2008 season as the cornerbacks coach at Wake Forest. White will be responsible for coaching the safeties at MSU. White was no stranger to Winston Salem after spending three season's as a starting linebacker for the Demon Deacons.
White's recruiting areas include Northern and Central Florida.
“Brad is a great addition to our staff,” said Griffin. “He will add a great deal to our defensive scheme and has already made an impact in recruiting.”
Bryan Cross (Special Teams Coordinator/Cornerbacks)
Bryan Cross, the brother of women's basketball coach Rob Cross, returns to the place where his collegiate coaching career began in 1996. Cross most recently served as the defensive coordinator at Campbellsville University, while also serving time on the staff's at Midwestern State, Western Kentucky and Centre College.
Cross' recruiting areas include the state of Kentucky.
“We are fortunate to get a coach with Bryan's experience on our staff,” said Griffin. “He has handled just about any task you give to a coach and as done so with positive results. Bryan's background will be an asset to our kicking game.”
Bill Lawrence (Defensive Assistant/Special Teams)
Bill Lawrence enters his second season and will work with special teams and as a defensive assistant. Lawrence spent the 2008 season working primarily with the defensive ends. Lawrence came to MSU after spending two season's at Utica College.
Lawrence's recruiting areas include Lexington and Louisville.
“We have given Billy more responsibility ? he has proven to be an extremely hard worker and persistent recruiter,” said Griffin. “He has been a tremendous asset to our staff.”
Offensive Coaches
Dave Wheeler (Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line)
Offensive line coach Dave Wheeler will assume the role of offensive coordinator in 2009. Wheeler's 2008 group allowed just 19 sacks in 407 passing attempts and helped pave the way for back-to-back rushing performances over 230 yards.
Wheeler's recruiting areas include Missouri, Kansas and Mississippi junior colleges.
“We are very excited to elevate Dave to offensive coordinator,” said Griffin. “He is very deserving, and more importantly extremely qualified. He has done a great job with our offensive line.”
Aaron Hutsell (Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
Aaron Hutsell makes the switch from defense to offense this season and will work with the wide receivers. Hutsell spent the previous three years working with the secondary. Hutsell will also serve as the team's recruiting coordinator. He inherits a group of receivers that are among the most talented and experienced in the OVC.
Hutsell's recruiting areas include the state of Alabama.
“Moving Aaron to the offensive side of the football is a tremendous boost to our program,” said Griffin. “He did a great job with our secondary the last two seasons. With his enthusiasm and insight to secondary play, he will be a great tutor for our receivers. Aaron will also assume the responsibilities of recruiting coordinator.”
Tony Lester (Tight Ends)
Tony Lester returns for his third season as the tight ends coach. Lester has worked closely with DeAngelo Nelson in helping to develop the two-time all-OVC selection into one of the top pass catching tight ends in the FCS.
“Tony brings a wealth of experience to our staff,” said Griffin. “The work that he has done with the tight ends has played a major role in our offense.”
Wayne Dabbs (Running Backs)
Wayne Dabbs joins the staff and will serve as the running backs coach. Dabbs comes to MSU after serving as the quarterbacks coach at Cumberland University, where he tutored one of the premiere passers in NAIA.
Dabbs' recruiting areas include East Tennessee, Southern Illinois and South Alabama.
“Wayne is a young coach that brings a wealth of enthusiasm to our staff,” said Griffin. “He is a tireless worker that has the dedication to what it takes to make this program successful.”
The Racers will open spring practice March 24 and conclude drills with the annual Spring Game April 16. The 2009 season gets underway Sept. 3 against Kentucky Wesleyan.
“I am very excited about the new additions to our staff,” said Griffin. “They will make an immediate impact with a wealth of experience and enthusiasm.”
Defensive Coaches
Mark Lister (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers)
A familiar face rejoins coach Griffin's staff as Mark Lister was named the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. Lister replaces Rich Nagy who accepted a similar position at Hofstra. Lister originally joined Griffin's staff as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at UT Martin in 2004, before coming to MSU in 2006 as the team's secondary coach. Lister's 2005 UTM defense ranked first in the OVC and 25th nationally.
Lister's recruiting areas include Western Kentucky and Central Tennessee.
“We are thrilled to have Mark back as defensive coordinator,” said Griffin. “He is an outstanding teacher and excellent recruiter. He understands the expectations for our program, more importantly he knows our players and what they do well.”
Johnny Jernigan (Defensive Line)
One of the last remaining members of Griffin's initial staff at MSU, Johnny Jernigan returns for his fourth season as the team's defensive line coach. Jernigan has served as Griffin's defensive line coach since 2003. Last season, the Racer defensive line combined for 16 sacks, led by All-American Austen Lane's school-record 12.
Jernigan's recruiting areas include Memphis, Tenn. and Houston, Texas.
“Johnny will continue his work with the defensive front,” said Griffin. “He has done a great job developing this group over the past three seasons.”
Brad White (Safeties)
Brad White joins the Racer coaching staff this season after spending the 2008 season as the cornerbacks coach at Wake Forest. White will be responsible for coaching the safeties at MSU. White was no stranger to Winston Salem after spending three season's as a starting linebacker for the Demon Deacons.
White's recruiting areas include Northern and Central Florida.
“Brad is a great addition to our staff,” said Griffin. “He will add a great deal to our defensive scheme and has already made an impact in recruiting.”
Bryan Cross (Special Teams Coordinator/Cornerbacks)
Bryan Cross, the brother of women's basketball coach Rob Cross, returns to the place where his collegiate coaching career began in 1996. Cross most recently served as the defensive coordinator at Campbellsville University, while also serving time on the staff's at Midwestern State, Western Kentucky and Centre College.
Cross' recruiting areas include the state of Kentucky.
“We are fortunate to get a coach with Bryan's experience on our staff,” said Griffin. “He has handled just about any task you give to a coach and as done so with positive results. Bryan's background will be an asset to our kicking game.”
Bill Lawrence (Defensive Assistant/Special Teams)
Bill Lawrence enters his second season and will work with special teams and as a defensive assistant. Lawrence spent the 2008 season working primarily with the defensive ends. Lawrence came to MSU after spending two season's at Utica College.
Lawrence's recruiting areas include Lexington and Louisville.
“We have given Billy more responsibility ? he has proven to be an extremely hard worker and persistent recruiter,” said Griffin. “He has been a tremendous asset to our staff.”
Offensive Coaches
Dave Wheeler (Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line)
Offensive line coach Dave Wheeler will assume the role of offensive coordinator in 2009. Wheeler's 2008 group allowed just 19 sacks in 407 passing attempts and helped pave the way for back-to-back rushing performances over 230 yards.
Wheeler's recruiting areas include Missouri, Kansas and Mississippi junior colleges.
“We are very excited to elevate Dave to offensive coordinator,” said Griffin. “He is very deserving, and more importantly extremely qualified. He has done a great job with our offensive line.”
Aaron Hutsell (Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator)
Aaron Hutsell makes the switch from defense to offense this season and will work with the wide receivers. Hutsell spent the previous three years working with the secondary. Hutsell will also serve as the team's recruiting coordinator. He inherits a group of receivers that are among the most talented and experienced in the OVC.
Hutsell's recruiting areas include the state of Alabama.
“Moving Aaron to the offensive side of the football is a tremendous boost to our program,” said Griffin. “He did a great job with our secondary the last two seasons. With his enthusiasm and insight to secondary play, he will be a great tutor for our receivers. Aaron will also assume the responsibilities of recruiting coordinator.”
Tony Lester (Tight Ends)
Tony Lester returns for his third season as the tight ends coach. Lester has worked closely with DeAngelo Nelson in helping to develop the two-time all-OVC selection into one of the top pass catching tight ends in the FCS.
“Tony brings a wealth of experience to our staff,” said Griffin. “The work that he has done with the tight ends has played a major role in our offense.”
Wayne Dabbs (Running Backs)
Wayne Dabbs joins the staff and will serve as the running backs coach. Dabbs comes to MSU after serving as the quarterbacks coach at Cumberland University, where he tutored one of the premiere passers in NAIA.
Dabbs' recruiting areas include East Tennessee, Southern Illinois and South Alabama.
“Wayne is a young coach that brings a wealth of enthusiasm to our staff,” said Griffin. “He is a tireless worker that has the dedication to what it takes to make this program successful.”
The Racers will open spring practice March 24 and conclude drills with the annual Spring Game April 16. The 2009 season gets underway Sept. 3 against Kentucky Wesleyan.
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