Eastern Kentucky University Men's Football

Follow @CoachDerekDay !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); Derek Day was chosen as EKU’s inside linebackers coach and co-special teams coordinator in January 2020.  He had previously worked on the staffs at Butler, Tennessee, Iowa State and Western Kentucky. It was a standout year on special teams for the Colonels in 2024 en route to the FCS Playoffs for the second time in three seasons, going 8-4 in the regular season with top-25 wins over No. 7 Tarleton State and No. 16 Central Arkansas.   Kicker Patrick Nations earned the UAC’s Specialist of the Year Award as he ended his EKU career with the program records in field goals made with 54 and kicking points in a Colonel career with 309.   In 2024, Nations went 9-of-13 on field goals with a long of 48, with 3,758 total kickoff yards, including a conference-leading 40 touchbacks.   Punter Jacob Baker was the top punter in the UAC as he posted a punting average of 43.7 yards per punt with 17 punts of 50 yards or longer (most in the UAC) while also having a long of 65 yards.   Along with his power, Baker showed precision with 24 punts downed inside the 20, the most in the UAC, as well as delivered critical punts late in games, giving EKU an edge in the field position battle.   Day’s outside linebackers were also pivotal in the Colonels holding opponents to just 23.7 points per game, the lowest amount in the UAC.   Additionally, the position group combined for 142 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. 2023 saw Day's outside linebackers help EKU record the most fumbles recovered in the UAC with 10 on the season and the most sacks with 2.18 per game. On special teams, the Colonels posted the second best kickoff return average in the conference with 21.33 yards per return while kicker Patrick Nations lead the nation in field goals per game with 1.73. In his third season at EKU, Day helped coach linebacker Matthew Jackson to an All-American season. Jackson ranked third in the ASUN in tackles and made 41 stops over the final three games of the season.  EKU's defense held No. 15 Southeast Missouri to 10 points in the second half of a comeback victory and limited Central Arkansas to its lowest point total against an FCS opponent of the season.  Before the 2021 season, Day switched from coaching inside linebackers to coaching outside linebackers. The Colonel defense ranked fourth nationally in defensive touchdowns and 15th in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score just 10.1 points per game in the second half. Linebackers Kyle Bailey and Matthew Jackson each recorded 102 tackles, with Jackson being tabbed as Phil Steele's ASUN Defensive Player of the Year. Fellow linebacker Eli Hairston finished third on the team in tackles.   In his first season, Day helped the defense stymie a pair of Southern Conference offenses helping EKU beat The Citadel, 37-14, on the road and Western Carolina, 49-17, in the 2020 Opportunity Bowl.  EKU also knocked off No. 11 Central Arkansas for the program’s first win over a top-25 ranked team since 2013, and first victory over a non-conference ranked team since 2003.  The Colonel defense held Troy to 10 second half points as Eastern nearly upset the FBS Trojans on the road.   In his first season as a starter, linebacker Matthew Jackson excelled.  Jackson led the nation during the fall season with two fumbles recovered and ranked ninth in the country with 9.9 tackles per game.  As a team, Eastern Kentucky was third in the country during the fall with 16 turnovers gained.   “I got to know Derek when I was at Western Kentucky and he went on to have success coaching both defense and special teams,” head coach Walt Wells said.  “I was also with him at Tennessee when he worked with the linebackers.  He had the opportunity to work with Paul Rhoads, who I respect a lot, at Iowa State.  Derek’s a good young coach and it’s good to have him and his family here.”   For three seasons (2017-19), Day served as the linebacker coach, co-special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Butler.  He coached two all-conference linebackers and an all-league kicker.   As a defensive quality control assistant working with linebackers at Tennessee in 2015 and 2016, Day helped the Volunteers reach the 2015 Outback Bowl and the 2016 Music City Bowl.  He coached All-Southeastern Conference linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin who was a fourth round NFL Draft pick, and all-freshman team linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr.   In 2012 and 2013, Day was a defensive graduate assistant linebackers coach at Iowa State.  He helped the Cyclones reach the 2012 Liberty Bowl.  He worked with two All-Big 12 and fifth round NFL Draft picks – linebackers AJ Klein (2013) and Jeremiah George (2014).   At Western Kentucky, Day served as a defensive graduate assistant with the defensive line and linebackers.    Day earned a bachelor’s of science degree in education at Butler in 2009.  He was a four-year starter at defensive end with the Bulldogs.  Day received a master’s degree in education at Iowa State in 2014.  He and his wife Lacey have two children – Landyn and Cameron.  

Follow @MikeDDietzel1 !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); Mike Dietzel, who has 30-plus years of coaching experience at the college and professional level, joined the Eastern Kentucky staff as safeties coach in March of 2021. EKU’s safeties were a force in 2025 as the Colonels returned to the FCS Playoffs for the 23rd time, as Mike Smith Jr. and Jaheim Ward both earned First Team All-UAC honors.   Smith, who earned All-American recognition, ended the season tied for the most interceptions in the UAC with four and was rated the 10th-best safety in all of Division I football by Pro Football Focus.   His impressive final season in Maroon and White saw him earn unanimous First Team All-UAC honors along with All-American honors from four separate publications as the Jacksonville, Fla. native earned first team recognition from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and AFCA, third team by FCS Central, and fourth team by Phil Steele.   For the season, Smith recorded impressive numbers with four interceptions (tied for the most in the UAC), 63 total tackles, and six pass breakups as a safety.   Smith's interceptions were also timely, with his ones against Tarleton State and North Alabama coming in the final seconds of regulation to seal wins for the Colonels.   The impressive play earned Smith an undrafted free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys.   Ward made an immediate impact in his first season as a Colonel, posting 66 total tackles, 5 TFLs, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and eight pass breakups.   His nine passes defended put him in the top 10 of the UAC. The 2023 season saw the emergence of safety Mike Smith Jr. under coach Dietzel as Smith tied for first in the conference with 13 passes defended consisting of 11 breakups and two interceptions. Fellow safety Nic Cheeley recorded the second most total tackles on season for EKU with 80. In 2022, three of EKU's safeties ranked in the top-11 on the team in tackling, led by Nic Cheeley's 57 stops. EKU held No. 15 Southeast Missouri to 10 points in the second half of a comeback victory and limited Central Arkansas to its lowest point total against an FCS opponent of the season.  Safety Joseph Sayles returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown against Austin Peay, while Mike Smith Jr. recorded his first career interception against North Alabama. The Colonels held five different opponents to less than 175 yards through the air.  In his first season in Richmond, EKU safeties recorded five of the Colonels' 13 interceptions on the season. Eastern Kentucky's defense ranked fourth nationally in defensive touchdowns and 15th in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score just 10.1 points per game in the second half. Sayles tallied three interceptions, broke up three passes, forced one fumble, and block the potential game-tying kick in EKU's victory at Central Arkansas.    Dietzel served as the defensive backs/safeties coach at Ball State during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.  He helped the Cardinals to a 7-1 record in 2020, a victory over No. 23 Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference Championship game and a win over No. 19 San Jose State in the Offerpad Arizona Bowl.   Ball State ranked 15th nationally in turnovers gained (24) in 2019.  In 2020, BSU was seventh in the nation in defensive touchdowns.  The Cardinals led the MAC and were 29th in the country with 10 interceptions last season. “I met Mike in the late 1990s and worked with him at Western Kentucky from 2003 to 2009,” Head Coach Walt Wells said.  “I was there when he and Jennifer got married.  He’s a really good teacher and a really good recruiter.  Mike has seen a lot of very good players and good football.  He was a key part of Ball State’s MAC Championship and bowl win.  He’s been a defensive coordinator before, so his experience will help our defensive staff.  His personality will be infectious to our staff and players.  He’s a really good person and a really solid coach.”   Dietzel spent seven seasons at Western Kentucky (2003-09), including three as defensive coordinator.  As the linebackers/secondary coach/special teams coordinator, he helped Central Michigan to bowl appearances in three of his four seasons with the Chippewas (2015-18) before joining the Ball State staff.  He mentored three-time All-MAC linebacker Malik Fountain and All-MAC safety Kavon Frazier, a 2016 draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys, at CMU   Over nine seasons at Buffalo (2010-14) and CMU, Dietzel’s teams ranked second in the MAC in total defense four times.  While serving as the secondary/co-special teams coach and recruiting coordinator, he helped Buffalo to the 2013 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.  He helped WKU to two Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff appearances and then a 7-5 record in the first year of its transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level.   Dietzel helped the 2001 Kent State team to its first winning season in 14 years while serving as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach.    In 2001, Dietzel served as the secondary coach/defensive passing game coordinator for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen of the XFL.  His Hitmen team led the XFL in pass defense.   As the running backs/wide receivers/tight ends coach at Army (1995-99) Dietzel mentored a running backs group that led the nation in rushing in 1996 and 1998.  He coached in the 1989 Rose Bowl as a graduate assistant outside linebackers coach with Michigan, where he worked under the legendary Bo Schembechler and was on a staff that included Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr. As the inside linebackers coach at Pennsylvania (1998) he helped the team to a share of the 1988 Ivy League championship.   Dietzel also coached at Colorado (1985-86), Earlham (1987) and Johns Hopkins (1994).   Dietzel played football at Otterbein University, where he was an honorable mention all-conference defensive back in 1983.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in educational administration from Otterbein (1985) and his master’s in educational administration from Colorado (1986).  Dietzel started the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program at Earlham in 1987.  He also coached track & field in his one year at Johns Hopkins. He and his wife Jennifer, a Bowling Green, Kentucky native, have one son – Taylor.  

Follow @Coach__Jake !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); Former Colonel Jake Johnson returned to EKU in December 2019 as the program’s defensive coordinator.  Johnson previously spent 12 seasons (2004-15) on the Colonel coaching staff, including the final 11 as the defensive line coach. 2024 was a standout year for the Eastern Kentucky University defense as they only allowed 23.7 points per game, the best in the UAC, going 8-5 on the season, returning to the FCS Playoffs for the second time in three seasons.   The defense was spearheaded by captain and All-American defensive back Mike Smith Jr., who ended the season tied for the most interceptions in the UAC with four and was rated the 10th best safety in all of Division I football by Pro Football Focus.   His impressive final season in Maroon and White saw him earn unanimous First Team All-UAC honors along with All-American honors from four separate publications as the Jacksonville, Fla. native earned first team recognition from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and AFCA, third team by FCS Central, and fourth team by Phil Steele.   The impressive play earned Smith an undrafted free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys.   The EKU defense had four players named to the UAC’s All-Conference team in Smith, Darrian Baker, Jaheim Ward, and Maddox Marcellus. In 2023, the Colonel defense was led by linebacker and NAIA graduate transfer Logan Blake. Blake earned first-team All-UAC honors after finishing with the third most total tackles in all of FCS (132), and a critical interception in 2OT against Tarleton State on homecoming, setting EKU up for a 41-35 win. Defensive back Mike Smith Jr., tied for the most passes defended in the UAC with a total of 13 (11 breakups and two interceptions). Johnson’s defense came up clutch in week four of the season against No. 16 SEMO as lineman Jeremiah Bailey stripped the Redhawks' quarterback at their 28-yard line that was recovered by Darius Sterling setting up kicker Patrick Nations with a game-winning field goal as time expired. The next week the defense had one of their best statistical games of the season recording five sacks, two recovered fumbles, and two interceptions including one by defensive lineman Gabe Fletcher on a deflection by Jeremiah Bailey. The defense added their stamp to the final game of the season against Stephen F. Austin as Maddox Marcellus recorded a strip sack that landed in Bailey's hands, returning the fumble 43 yards for the touchdown giving EKU a 13-3 lead, going on to win 36-24. In his third season at EKU, two Colonel defenders were named to the All-ASUN team and linebacker Matthew Jackson was tabbed as a Fourth-Team Phil Steele/DraftScout All-American. EKU held No. 15 Southeast Missouri to 10 points in the second half of a comeback victory and limited Central Arkansas to its lowest point total against an FCS opponent of the season.  Jackson ranked third in the ASUN with 87 total tackles, while defensive lineman TK McLendon finished the season third in the conference with six sacks.  In 2021, the Colonel defense ranked fourth nationally in defensive touchdowns and 15th in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score just 10.1 points per game in the second half. Cornerback Davion Ross was a consensus All-American, the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, and three EKU defenders were named to the All-ASUN team. Linebacker Matthew Jackson was tabbed as Phil Steele's ASUN Defensive Player of the Year. Ross ranked fifth in the nation in passes defensed. Kyle Bailey finished the season sixth in the nation in solo tackles, while Jackson ranked 20th. EKU held a pair of opponents to under 250 total yards   In his first season, Johnson’s defense stymied a pair of Southern Conference offenses helping EKU beat The Citadel, 37-14, on the road and Western Carolina, 49-17, in the 2020 Opportunity Bowl.  EKU also knocked off No. 11 Central Arkansas for the program’s first win over a top-25 ranked team since 2013, and first victory over a non-conference ranked team since 2003.   Johnson’s defense held Troy to 10 second half points as EKU nearly upset the FBS Trojans on the road.   In his first season as a starter, linebacker Matthew Jackson excelled in Johnson’s defense.  Jackson led the nation during the fall season with two fumbles recovered and ranked ninth in the country with 9.9 tackles per game.  Defensive back Kmare Carey ranked ninth in the nation during the fall season with 0.40 interceptions per game.   As a team, Eastern Kentucky was third in the country during the fall season with 16 turnovers gained.   “I’m excited to have Jake back in Richmond and at EKU,” head coach Walt Wells said.  “It’s a place that is so dear to his heart, and it’s great to have a former Colonel leading our defense.  Jake did a great job at Murray State, as the special teams coordinator and the defensive coordinator, developing Quincy Williams and Marquez Sanford into NFL players.  We’re fortunate to have him back and to have his leadership on defense.” Johnson worked on the staff at Murray State University from 2016 to 2019.  After spending his first two seasons with the Racers as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator, Johnson served as the defensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019 while still also coaching the linebacker position group.   Under his guidance as defensive coordinator, Murray State improved its scoring and rushing defense each season.  Linebacker Quincy Williams was selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the highest draft pick in MSU history.  In addition, defensive back Marquez Sanford signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019.   Johnson recruited multiple all-conference players.  In 2018 he successfully recruited the No. 1 and No. 5 ranked players in the Ohio Valley Conference.  As the special teams coordinator, Johnson tutored kicker Connor Mitchell who led the nation in field goals per game (1.82) and set a school record with six field goals in a game during the 2016 season.   In his first stint at Eastern Kentucky, Johnson helped the Colonels win OVC Championships in 2007, 2008 and 2011 and make four FCS playoff appearances.  He coached 17 defensive linemen who earned All-Ohio Valley Conference honors and five who picked up All-America recognition.  In 2015, Noah Spence and Bryce Krebs were named to the All-OVC team.  Spence was also chosen as the OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, earned All-America honors and was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.  EKU ranked first or second in the OVC in rushing defense in each of his final four seasons as defensive line coach. After graduating from Eastern in 2002 with a bachelor’s of science degree in geography, with an emphasis in global studies, Johnson spent a year at Wingate University as an assistant coach.  His duties there included serving as the Bulldogs’ full-time tight ends coach and assistant offensive line coach, while also aiding in player recruitment and game-day planning.  Johnson then returned to Eastern Kentucky in 2004 as a graduate assistant coach. A three-year starting offensive lineman during his collegiate career, Johnson garnered All-Ohio Valley Conference accolades at center in 2001.  That same year, Johnson served as the Colonels’ offensive team captain and was named the squad’s offensive lineman of the year. Johnson earned four letters from 1997-2001 and was a freshman on the 1997 Colonel team which captured an OVC championship.  He found success on and off the field at EKU, earning two spots on the OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and five Colonel Scholar awards. Johnson married the former Kate Lyon, a four-year volleyball letter winner at Eastern who was named team co-MVP in 2000, in the summer of 2007.  The Johnsons have two children – Sam and Zoey.  

Eric Ravellette was named the offensive line coach for EKU football on June 7, 2024. Ravellette comes to Richmond from Trine University, where he served as offensive line coach, run game coordinator, co-offensive coordinator, and assistant head coach over the last 12 seasons. During his tenure with the Thunder, he helped lead the team to back-to-back MIAA Conference titles in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Under his guidance, the offense posted numbers in the top ten nationally in Division III for rushing offense, scoring offense, and yards per rush.   Ravellette developed two All-Americans, eight All-Region, and 31 All-Conference student-athletes as a coach with the Thunder.   Prior to his time at Trine, Ravellette spent four seasons at Ferris State University, overseeing the Bulldogs' offensive line and strength and conditioning. Before Ferris, he spent two seasons as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Division I Southeast Missouri State University.   A native of Vincennes, Ind., Ravellette graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2003, where he was a starter for the 2002 team that won the Division I-AA (now FCS) National Championship. He also spent two seasons at WKU, coaching the tight ends in 2003 and 2005. Between those stints, Ravellette served as a graduate assistant at New Mexico State. His family includes his wife Jeannine and daughters Leah and Brynn.

Maxwell Smith was hired as EKU's quarterbacks coach in February 2023. In Smith's first season, quarterback Parker McKinney was named First Team All-UAC with 3,033 yards passing with 20 touchdowns adding to his all-time school records in both categories. McKinney finished his career with 12,751 yards passing with 94 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 63. McKinney finished fourth in all of FCS football on the year in total offense averaging 296.2 yards per game and 25th in points responsible with 142. McKinney threw for over 200 yards in all but two games on the year, with one of those coming against Cincinnati of the Big XII. McKinney also recorded at least one touchdown pass in every game in 2023. Before arriving in Richmond, Smith served as the quarterbacks coach at Heidelberg University for two seasons. Under Smith's tutelage, Heidelberg quarterback Drew Sims ranked in the top-10 nationally in yards per completion in 2021 and 2022. Sims was also an All-OAC selection following the 2021 season.  Prior to joining the staff at Heidelberg, Smith coached for three seasons at Kentucky as a grad assistant.   As a player, Smith started 11 games at quarterback for Kentucky. In 2013, he led the Wildcats in passing, throwing for 1,276 yards and nine touchdowns against just one interception. Smith was a Freshman All-SEC performer in 2011, setting a UK school record for most passing yards by a true freshman with a 283-yard performance against Ole Miss.  Smith transferred to San Diego State in 2015 and won the starting job for the Aztecs. The Granada Hills, Calif., native threw for 1,529 yards and 13 touchdowns while setting an SDSU record by going 10 consecutive games without throwing an interception. As the starter, Smith guided the Aztecs to seven consecutive wins as SDSU captured the Mountain West Conference championship and won the Hawaii Bowl. 

Rashad Watson was named the defensive secondary coach in February of 2024 Watson comes to Richmond after spending the last two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Tuskegee University in Alabama. While in charge of the Tiger defense, Watson helped lead Tuskegee to back-to-back winning seasons and a SIAC West Championship in 2023.   Watson’s defense also led the SIAC in interceptions and produced seven defensive all-conference honorees.   Prior to Tuskegee, Watson served as the defensive coordinator at Miles College from 2019-2021.   While at Miles, Watson oversaw the overhaul of a defense that went from last to first in the SIAC in rushing defense, interceptions, and sacks as Miles went on to claim a SIAC Championship in 2019.   The new Colonel coach also holds head coaching experience having spent two years as the head football coach at Franklin Pierce, where he led the program’s transition into NCAA Division II membership. It was his first head coaching post, which was preceded by a five-year stint at Missouri Southern State.   In this time, he developed nine all-conference selections for the Lions.   Watson also holds professional experience serving as the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship Coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers in June of 2021 and with the Kansas City Chiefs in June of 2014. In these roles, he coached secondary during NFL Training Camp and assisted with special team units.   Watson played four years collegiately at Alabama A&M (1997-2001). Originally from Bessemer, Ala., Watson is a two-time graduate of Alabama A&M, with a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's degree in business marketing.  

Isaac McClain was named to the EKU coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season as the assistant offensive line coach, and was promoted to the role of tight ends coach on May 12, 2025. Prior to Richmond, McClain spent three seasons as the offensive line coach at Santa Barbra City College in California. The highlight of those three seasons coming in 2022 as the Vaqueros went 10-1 on the year including a 2022 SBCC Beach Bowl win over Desert CC. Before getting into coaching, McClain played college football first at SBCC from 2015-16 before transferring to New Mexico State where he was a lineman on the 2017 Arizona Bowl winning team for the Aggies. He is originally from Manteca, California.

Jeff Griffith joined EKU as a senior analyst in June of 2023 before being named Chief of Staff in 2024. As Chief of Staff he is in charge of managing and supporting the coaching staff, student-athletes, and support personnel while also serving as the programs NFL liaison.  He is involved in all aspects of the program, particularly in scouting, recruiting, and operational staff oversight.  He also serves as liaison with athletics administration and academic support staff. Prior to coming to EKU, Griffith spent 33 years as a high school teacher and coach throughout the Commonwealth, most recently guiding Warren East H.S. to an undefeated regular season in 2022. Griffith's career also includes head coaching stops at Barren County H.S., Boone County H.S., and Wayne County H.S. Griffith served as the defensive coordinator at Bowling Green H.S. from 2002-12 and helped guide the Purples to back-to-back 5A state championships in 2011 and 2012. Griffith, a graduate of Madison Central H.S. (KY), played outside linebacker at WKU from 1986-89 graduating in 1991with a bachelor’s degree in special education and English and a MS in education in 2005.

Daniel Berezowitz joined the EKU football staff in the Spring of 2024 as the Director of Football Operations. A veteran of college football, Berezowitz joined the Colonels with over 20 years of working experience in the industry. Before coming to Richmond he spent nine years in Lexington at the University of Kentucky as the Wildcats director of recruiting and chief of staff under head coach Mark Stoops. In his time at UK, the Wildcats went 59-53 winning four bowl games out of six total appearances, as he served as the programs liaison to all other internal departments and managing roster numbers annually for signing and scholarship limits. From 2007 through 2010, he served as a recruiting coordinator at the University of Minnesota organizing a top-20 recruiting class for the Golden Gophers, managing all aspects of the day-to-day recruiting operations and budget. Prior to Minnesota, he spent six years at the University of Arizona starting out as the director of football and recruiting operations before transitioning to the director of personnel and research helping the Wildcats bring in multiple top-25 recruiting classes. He began his career in college football in 1996 at the University of North Carolina as the director of video operations and Keenan Football Center before joining the University of Texas as a special assistant to head coach Mack Brown from 1998-2000. Berezowitz graduated from the Univeristy of Wisconsin Whitewater in 1994 with a bachelor's of arts degree in athletic administration and minor in coaching.

Pierce Hamilton joined the EKU football staff in the Summer of 2022 as the assistant director of football equipment before transitioning to the head of football equipment in July of 2024. Before EKU he served as the head equipment intern at Ohio beginning of the Spring of 2019. He graduated college in 2020 with a bachelor's degree from the Ohio University.

Follow @coacharichman !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); Andy Richman was chosen as EKU’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach in January 2020. The Colonels returned to the FCS Playoffs for the 23rd time in program history in 2024, the second-most in the NCAA all-time with an 8-5 overall record, finishing in both FCS top-25 polls.   Five of those eight wins came in a winning streak to end the regular season, including two over then nationally ranked teams in the UAC in Tarleton State and Central Arkansas.   The Colonels also went a perfect 6-0 at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium, the first undefeated season at home since 2010.   It was a stellar season on the ground for the Colonels in 2024 as running back Joshua Carter eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards this season and 2,000 rushing yards in a career, becoming the 17th and 18th individual to accomplish those feats at EKU.   Additionally, Carter recorded three consecutive game-winning touchdowns in EKU’s wins over No. 7 Tarleton St., No. 16 Central Arkansas, and Austin Peay.   In the final win over Austin Peay, Carter saved his best for last with a thrilling walk-off winner in overtime, breaking through multiple APSU defenders on a 23-yard touchdown run on the second play of EKU's overtime possession, lifting the Colonels to a 30-27 win.   EKU also found a star in the passing game with Freshman All-American, Marcus Calwise Jr. as the freshman from Covington, Ga. stepped up in a big way in 2024 for the Colonels’ offense being the top target for quarterback Matt Morrissey as EKU finished 8-4 in the regular season, going 6-2 in UAC play.   The first year wide out posted five touchdown receptions and 526 yards on 42 receptions, averaging 12.5 yards per catch.   Recording at least one reception in all but one game in 2024, Calwise got hot at the end of the season, scoring a touchdown in EKU’s last four games, including an 11-yard reception for six in the FCS Playoffs.   Calwise posted a career-best performance in the last week of the regular season with 99 yards on five receptions and one touchdown against North Alabama. His score proved to be the game winner in the fourth quarter as on third-and-14 from his own 33, quarterback Matt Morrissey found Calwise over the middle for the catch and sprint to the end zone for a 67-yard touchdown, reclaiming the lead at 21-15 with 8:10 remaining in regulation.   The performance earned him his second consecutive Freshman of the Week honor in the UAC and third overall of the season, tied for the most in the conference.   2024 also marked the end of an era, with it being the final season for long-time offensive linemen John Stone, Vincent Munlin Jr., and Payton Collins.   Collins set a new program record in 2024 with 56 consecutive career starts before signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL as Munlin signed with the Montreal Allouettes.   The 2023 season saw the Colonels post the total offense numbers in the UAC averaging 437.4 yards per game with a total of 4,811 yards on the season. On the ground, EKU running backs tallied 1,778 total rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 347 attempts. Both marks were the highest in Richman's time at EKU. The offense posted its best overall statistical game against new conference foe, Utah Tech posting 496 yards of total offense with Parker McKinney throwing for three touchdowns and 322 yards going 22-of-34 through the air in a 34-30 win. WR Mo Edwards Jr., tallied 101 yards receiving on just three receptions including a 69-yard catch and run for a touchdown. On the ground, running back Joshua Carter led the team rushing for 125 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries. The offense featured four UAC First Team All-Conference selections in quarterback Parker McKinney, tight end Hunter Brown, and offensive linemen Payton Collins and Josiah Ezirim. Ezirim collected four separate All-American selections after a stellar season up front before being drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round. In his third season at EKU, the Colonels ranked third in the nation in passing offense, fifth in third-down conversion percentage, eight in completion percentage, 10th in total offense, 11th in scoring offense and team passing efficiency, and 18th in red-zone offense. EKU set a school record with 434 points scored, posting at least 40 points in six games, and quarterback Parker McKinney broke every school single-season and career passing record.  McKinney, offensive lineman Payton Collins, and running back Braedon Sloan each earned All-American honors. Sloan became the first Colonel in at least two decades to record 500 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in a single season.  In 2021, Eastern Kentucky boasted the fourth-best red-zone offense in the country, scoring on 31 of its 33 trips (93.9 percent) inside in the red zone. EKU scored 30 points in six different games and McKinney set a school record with 229 pass completions.  Running back Da'Joun Hewitt was named ASUN Freshman of the Week three times during the 2021 season and also earned ASUN Offensive Player of the Week honors after rushing for three touchdowns in the season opener against Western Carolina.    In his first season, Richman led an offense that concluded the fall third in the nation in passing offense (247.4 yards per game) and fourth in the country in total offense (376.4 yards per game).  The Colonels ran up a season-high 590 yards of offense against Western Carolina in the 2020 Opportunity Bowl.  The unit totaled 400 yards or more of offense in six of the final seven games of the season.   Three offensive players – quarterback Parker McKinney, wide receiver Keyion Dixon and running back Alonzo Booth – were each chosen as the national player of the week during the 2020 season.  Booth led the nation in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns during the fall.  Dixon was third in the country in receiving yards and fourth in receiving touchdowns.  McKinney was among the nation’s passing leaders for much of the season before missing the final three and a half games due to an injury.  He still ranked fourth in passing touchdowns.   Receivers Jacquez Jones (4th) and Jackson Beerman (6th) also ranked among the national leaders in receiving yards.   Richman utilized three different starting quarterbacks during the 2020 season.  McKinney started the first six games but suffered a season-ending injury just before halftime against No. 11 Central Arkansas.  Dakota Allen came on and led the team on a last minute, game-winning touchdown drive to beat the nationally ranked Bears.  Allen would start the next two games.  Isaiah Velz was called on to make his first collegiate start in the season finale.  He threw for 310 yards while leading EKU to a 49-17 win in the Opportunity Bowl.   “It’s great to have Andy back to leading our offense here at EKU,” head coach Walt Wells said.  “He has done a great job since he left at all his stops, including Wisconsin, at Valdosta State where he called the plays for a national championship team, and helping New Mexico State to their first bowl game in a long time as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach.  I’ve known Andy for a long time.  He’s a great coach and is doing great things with our offense.”   Richman was the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at New Mexico State University from 2015 through the 2019 season.  He coached a Sunbelt Conference Newcomer of the Year and an Associated Press All-America running back.  In 2017, the Aggies’ offense ranked sixth in the nation in passing offense while winning seven games and earning a victory in the Arizona Bowl.  It was NMSU’s first bowl appearance since 1960.   From 2011 through the 2014 season, Richman served on the staff at Valdosta State University.  He was the offensive line coach and run game coordinator during the 2012 season and the offensive coordinator in 2013, 2014 and 2015.  Richman tutored six first team all-conference linemen, four All-America offensive linemen selections and a fourth round NFL Draft pick.  VSU had two 1,000-yard rushers in 2012 on its way to winning the Division II National Championship.   Richman was an offensive line quality control assistant for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2008 to 2010.  He helped Wisconsin reach three bowl games including the 2011 Rose Bowl after winning the Big Ten Championship.  Richman was an offensive line assistant, working primarily with the centers and guards, at Louisiana during the 2007 season.   Richman worked with EKU Head Coach Walt Wells at Western Kentucky University during the 2006 season, serving as the tight ends coach.  He also coached the defensive line at Denison University (2005), and running backs and tight ends at Reedley College (2004).   During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, Richman was graduate student assistant at Eastern Kentucky, working with the tight ends in 2002 and the defensive line in 2003.   Richman was the offensive line coach at his alma mater, Wisconsin-Stevens Point, in 2001.  He was part of two conference championships and one playoff team during his collegiate career (1996-99).  He earned a physical education degree from Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2002.  Richman completed a master’s degree in sport administration at EKU in 2004.   Richman is married to the former Heather Proctor.  

Follow @Cox83Caleb !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); Caleb Cox was chosen as EKU’s wide receivers coach in January 2020. The Colonels aerial attack in 2024 was led by Freshman All-American, Marcus Calwise Jr. who stepped up in a big way in 2024 for the Colonels’ offense being the top target for quarterback Matt Morrissey as EKU finished 8-4 in the regular season, going 6-2 in UAC play returning to the FCS Playoffs.   The first year wide out posted five touchdown receptions and 526 yards on 42 receptions, averaging 12.5 yards per catch.   Recording at least one reception in all but one game in 2024, Calwise got hot at the end of the season, scoring a touchdown in EKU’s last four games, including an 11-yard reception for six in the FCS Playoffs.   Calwise posted a career-best performance in the last week of the regular season with 99 yards on five receptions and one touchdown against North Alabama. His score proved to be the game winner in the fourth quarter as on third-and-14 from his own 33, quarterback Matt Morrissey found Calwise over the middle for the catch and sprint to the end zone for a 67-yard touchdown, reclaiming the lead at 21-15 with 8:10 remaining in regulation.   The performance earned him his second consecutive Freshman of the Week honor in the UAC and third overall of the season, tied for the most in the conference.   Cox’s recruiting prowess shined in the 23-24 season as the Colonels brought in the eighth best recruiting class at the FCS level according to On3 Sports. In 2023, the EKU receiving core helped the Colonels to the 11th best passing offense in all of FCS with 275.7 yards through the air per game, the best in the United Athletic Conference. Wideout Jaden Smith also posted the third most receiving yards in the UAC with 781 on the year. Smith also finished second in the conference in receiving yards per game with an average of 71. In his third season at EKU, the Colonel wide receivers helped quarterback Parker McKinney set single-season records for passing yards, completions, and touchdowns. Three different wideouts caught at least 50 passes for at least 700 yards.  EKU's passing attack topped 300 yards in nine different games, combining for 881 yards in the final two games of the season. The Colonels ranked third nationally in passing offense (329.7 yards per game), eighth in completion percentage (68.6%), and 11th team passing efficiency (161.26).   During the 2021 season, five different Colonel wide receivers caught touchdown passes and hauled in 160 catches to help McKinney set the program single-season record with 229 completions. Against top-ranked Sam Houston, EKU's passing game racked up 338 yards through the air, led by 103 receiving yards from Matt Wilcox, Jr. The Colonels closed the season with 299 yards passing in an Opportunity Bowl victory over Jacksonville State.  In his first season, Cox helped the offense conclude the fall third in the nation in passing offense (247.4 yards per game) and fourth in the country in total offense (376.4 yards per game).  The Colonels ran up a season-high 590 yards of offense against Western Carolina in the 2020 Opportunity Bowl.  The unit totaled 400 yards or more of offense in six of the final seven games of the season.   Wide receiver Keyion Dixon was chosen as the national player of the week during the 2020 season.  Dixon was third in the country in receiving yards and fourth in receiving touchdowns.  Receivers Jacquez Jones (4th) and Jackson Beerman (6th) also ranked among the national leaders in receiving yards.   “I got to know Caleb when I was here in 2015,” head coach Walt Wells said.  “Then I had the opportunity to work with him at Tennessee.  He’s been around great wide receiver coaches including Zach Azzanni who is with the Denver Broncos now and Tee Martin.  Caleb is a great young coach and is doing a great job in recruiting.”   Cox served as an offensive assistant at the University of Tennessee from 2016-19.  In 2015, Cox was an offensive assistant at EKU.  He worked as the wide receivers coach at Kentucky Christian University in 2013 and 2014.   Cox helped Tennessee reach the Music City Bowl in 2016 and the Tax Slayer Bowl in 2019.  He has coached three players who were either drafted or received invitations to an NFL camp, including former Colonel offensive lineman Justin Adekoya.   Cox has extensive recruiting experience in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina.   A 2013 graduate of Kentucky Christian, Cox earned a bachelor’s of science degree in university studies and Biblical studies while playing wide receiver for the Knights.  He earned a master’s in Christian leadership from KCU in 2017 and a master’s in agriculture leadership education communication at Tennessee in 2018.