Furman University Men's Football

Introduced as Furman’s new head football coach on December 19, 2016, Clay Hendrix in eight seasons has returned Paladin football to its long respected level of national prominence and securely fixed  his winning stamp on a program he has served for 31 years spanning four decades. The latest evidence of Hendrix’s successful work came in 2023 when Furman posted another 10-win season, reeled off eight straight victories, and claimed the program’s Southern Conference best 15th championship, thereby clinching the league’s FCS playoff berth and first-round bye.  After knocking off Chattanooga, 26-7, in a round of 16 clash, the Paladins dropped a 35-28 overtime decision at second-ranked Montana, the eventual national runner-up.  Furman completed the season ranked No. 6 in the AFCA final poll — the Paladins’ highest finish since 2005. The FCS playoff appearance in 2023 marked the fourth for the Paladins under Hendrix, who has compiled a 54-37 overall (.593) record and 42-21 (.651) SoCon worksheet as a head coach. Furman’s success under Hendrix, honored in 2023 as SoCon and AFCA Region II Coach of the Year, has been the product of many factors, including solid recruiting and player development/retention.    That season five Paladins earned All-America honors and 19 players landed All-SoCon laurels, led by league offensive player of the year, quarterback Tyler Huff, and Jacobs Blocking Award recipient, offensive guard Jacob Johanning.  In addition, two Paladins — Johanning and tight end Mason Pline — signed free agent contracts with the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, respectively.  This past spring two other program graduates, long snapper Julian Ashby and cornerback, Micah Robinson, were seventh round draft selections of the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers, respectively. In addition to on-the-field accolades, Furman registered impressive performances in other areas, including Huff capturing the prestigious Armed Forces Merit Award, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.  Approximately 60 percent of the program’s student-athletes over the last two years have earned SoCon Academic Honor Roll recognition, and Paladin football has remained a major factor in ranking among the nation’s best in NCAA Academic Performance Rating (APR) and Graduation Success Rate (GSR) metrics. Furman’s results under Hendrix have extended his winning legacy, evidenced in the fact that in now 43 years of collegiate football, spanning his years as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, he has been part of 35 winning teams that have combined to go 336-188-3 (.640). Hendrix returned to his alma mater in Dec. of 2016, following a decade as an assistant coach at the United States Air Force Academy.  In his first season at the helm, he engineered Furman to an 8-5 campaign and FCS playoff appearance, improving on a three-win 2016 season and defying a preseason No. 7 SoCon tab by playing for a share of the league title in the regular season finale en route to finishing as a consensus No. 20 in two major FCS polls — a body of work that netted him SoCon Coach of the Year honors. In 2018 Furman took another step under Hendrix’s guidance, overcoming an 0-3 start and having its home opener against Colgate canceled due to Hurricane Florence by winning six of its final seven games, including a 34-14 triumph over FCS No. 4 Wofford.  The Paladins’ 35-30 road victory over Mercer in the regular season finale secured a 6-4 record and share of the program’s 14th SoCon championship — the most by any school in league history. In 2019 the Paladins delivered again, posting an 8-5 record and earning an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs and AFCA No. 19 final national ranking. After navigating through the pandemic season of 2020, Hendrix’s 2021 squad won its final two games to finish 6-5 and set the stage for the 10-3 campaign in 2022 — the program’s best since 2005.  Furman paced the FCS in turnovers gained (29) and blocked kicks (10) in 2022, and produced the first three-time All-American in program history in tight end Ryan Miller, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That Hendrix has orchestrated an impressive rebound of Paladin football was just what Furman football supporters envisioned when he was named the 23rd head coach in program history, which dates from 1889. While at Air Force, where he coached the offensive line and served as offensive coordinator for five seasons, as well as associate head coach over the final seven campaigns, Hendrix played a pivotal role in the Falcons producing some of the top rushing attacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).  That productivity translated into a 77-53 record (.592), nine bowl game appearances, and four Commander-in-Chief Trophies, which is awarded annually based on head-to-head results among the three service academies. Air Force led the Mountain West Conference (MWC) in rushing and ranked in the top 10 nationally eight times in the last 10 years due, in part, to the quality work of Hendrix-directed offensive lines.  All told 19 Falcon offensive linemen garnered all-conference recognition and 21 players under Hendrix’s guidance landed Academic All-MWC honors during his tenure in Colorado Springs. In 2016 Air Force posted a 10-3 record and 5-3 mark in the MWC, won its fourth Commander-in-Chief Trophy this decade, and defeated South Alabama in the Arizona Bowl following a 27-20 win over 19th-ranked Boise State on Nov. 25.  The Falcons ranked third nationally in rushing offense (322.8 ypg), seventh in FBS in third down conversion percentage (51.4), and averaged over 451.4 yards per game in total offense along with 34.3 points per game. The victory over Boise State represented the final win in an impressive list of Air Force triumphs with Hendrix on staff.  In 2014 the Falcons defeated 21st-ranked Colorado State (27-24) during the regular season and knocked off Western Michigan (38-24) in the Idaho Potato Bowl to complete a 10-3 campaign.  In 2010 Air Force downed Georgia Tech (14-7) in the Independence Bowl, a year after beating 25th-ranked Houston (45-20) in the Armed Forces Bowl.  In his first season there, the Falcons handed Notre Dame its biggest setback (41-24) to a service academy since 1963. Hendrix paved his way to Air Force with an exemplary 19-year record of accomplishment as an assistant coach at Furman, where he served as offensive line coach each year, recruiting coordinator for three seasons, and assistant head coach over his final five campaigns.  From 1988-2006 he helped the Paladins post a 155-77-1 record (.667), including a 100-45 Southern Conference mark (.690) that led to six league championships, 11 NCAA FC S (formerly I-AA) playoff appearances, a national runner-up finish in 2001, and the 1988 national championship — the first by a SoCon member school and a private university in FCS history. Over his final eight seasons on the Paladin staff (1999-06), Furman registered a 73-28 record (.723) and 47-14 worksheet (.770) against SoCon competition en route to three league championships, seven FCS playoff berths, 2001 national runner-up campaign, and seven top 10 final national rankings. Hendrix-directed offensive lines and powerful rushing attacks were central in one of the greatest eras in Furman history.  In 1999 Furman knocked off North Carolina (28-3) on the strength of a 177-yard rushing performance by tailback Louis Ivory, and in 2000 averaged a school record 307.1 yards per game rushing to spearhead Ivory’s run to the Walter Payton Award, the FCS equivalent to the Heisman Trophy.  The next year a Paladin line featuring three All-Americans keyed a 12-3 campaign, highlighted by a 24-17 playoff semifinal road win over Georgia Southern that halted the Eagles’ NCAA record 39-game home winning streak. In 2005 a potent Paladin ground game was central to Furman scoring 64 touchdowns and averaging 470.0 yards per game — both school standards. In recognition terms, 25 Hendrix-coached players earned first team all-conference honors and 13 garnered All-America laurels during his Paladin assistant coaching tenure.  In addition, five products — center Steve Duggan (1990), guard Ben Hall (1999), tackle Josh Moore (2000), tackle Donnie Littlejohn (2001), and tackle Ben Bainbridge (2004) — captured the SoCon’s Jacobs Blocking Award.  A sixth recipient, tackle Joel Bell, who was recruited and developed by Hendrix, garnered the award in 2008 and was inducted into the university’s athletic hall of fame in 2022.  Tackle Matthew Schmidt became the seventh Hendrix player to land the prestigious Jacobs Blocking Award in 2017, and guard Jacob Johanning selection in 2023 made it eight honorees. Four of Furman’s SoCon leading 15 Academic All-Americans — guards Eric Walter (1990 & ‘91), Adi Filipovic (2006), and Julian Ashby (2023) — are Hendrix products.  A native of Commerce, Ga., where he was a three-sport standout in football, wrestling, and golf as a prep, he starred as an offensive guard on the gridiron, helping Commerce High School to a 13-1 record and 1981 Class 2A state championship.   He came to Furman in 1982 on scholarship under head coach Dick Sheridan and over the next four years, including three seasons as a starter under the tutelage of offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell, played a role in the Paladins posting a 39-10-1 record, winning SoCon championships in 1982, ‘83, and ‘85, and finishing as national runner-up his senior year — a season that netted him all-state recognition.  Furman also recorded impressive wins over South Carolina (1982), Georgia Tech (1983), and North Carolina State (1984 & ‘85) during his playing tenure. Following graduation in 1986, he joined Sheridan’s staff at N.C. State for the 1986 and ‘87 seasons — the first of which featured a Peach Bowl appearance.  The Wolfpack beat ACC regular season champion Clemson in 1986 and the seventh-ranked Tigers again the following year. He returned to Furman in 1988 as offensive line coach under head coach Jimmy Satterfield, and his influence quickly led to success as Furman registered a 13-2 record and claimed the NCAA FCS championship with a 17-12 triumph over Georgia Southern — the first national title by a SoCon school and first by a private institution in division history. He and his wife, LeeAnn Hedgpeth ‘90 of Taylors, S.C., have two sons, Cal and Mac.

Tracey Hendricks is entering her 15th season as administrative assistant to Furman’s football program and 18th year at the university.  Prior to assuming her current duties she worked with continuing education. An Ann Arbor, Mich., native she and her husband, Rob, have two children, Emily and Cody (Indigo).

Furman head football coach Clay Hendrix announced on Feb. 20 that Hugh Ryan has been named the Paladins' new safeties coach and special teams coordinator.   "I am very excited to announce the promotion of Hugh Ryan to our safeties coach and special teams coordinator," said Hendrix on Wednesday.  "Hugh was a terrific player for us and has done outstanding work assisting Tommy Spangler the last couple of years.  He will do a great job in our program."   Ryan, a two-time All-Southern Conference safety and 2024 Furman cum laude graduate, served the last two seasons as a defensive quality control assistant for the Paladins.   The Irmo, S.C., product appeared in 57 games and registered 45 starts in his Paladin career, which saw him total 263 tackles, nine interceptions, and a pair of SoCon Player of the Week scrolls.  He was a mainstay at free safety and major contributor on a pair of 10-3 Furman squads in 2022 & '23 that boasted defenses which ranked among the best in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).  In 2023 Furman captured the program's 15th SoCon championship, advanced to the FCS playoff quarterfinals, and finished the season ranked No. 6 in the AFCA Poll. A three-time SoCon All-Academic Team pick and four-time SoCon Academic Honor Roll selection, Ryan, who majored in business administration, landed Collegiate Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors in 2023. He was a member of three state championship teams and a Shrine Bowl selection at Dutch Fork (S.C.) High School.

Vaughn is in his second season as coach of Furman's safeties and recruiting coordinator and sixth year as a member of the Paladin coaching staff. Prior to assuming his current duties, he served as coach of the Paladin tight ends for three years  He began his Paladin coaching tenure assisting then-offensive coordinator Jimmy Kiser with the Paladins wide receivers and tight ends before assuming complete control of the tight ends in 2012. In his five years of work at Furman he played a key role the development of pair of highly regarded tight ends, including two-time consensus All-Southern Conference and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-America performer Colin Anderson and all-conference performer Duncan Fletcher.   Andersons 2011 season netted 40 receptions for 696 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as the FCS Tight End Award given by the College Football Performance Awards.  In 2012 he caught 30 passes for 498 yards to complete his career ranked among the most productive tight ends in program history on the way to signing a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings.  Fletcher, meanwhile, made a successful transition from quarterback to tight end in 2014, registering 36 catches for 442 yards and two scores. This past year Vaughn directed the play of All-SoCon safety Trey Robinson. A native of Clarksville, Tenn., he played running back and safety at Davidson Academy, twice earning all-state honors. Vaughn enrolled at Vanderbilt in the fall of 2007 and was a member of the Commodore football program, lettering as a senior special teams contributor in 2010.  He was named to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll all four years before graduating with a degree in secondary education and history.

Chad Byers is entering his sixth year as a member of Furman’s coaching staff, having joined the Paladins’ program in February of 2020 as outside linebackers coach.  In the summer of 2021 he added the position of special teams coordinator, and in 2022 year was named co-defensive coordinator while making the positional coaching change to inside linebackers.  In each of his assignments he has delivered stellar performance. In 2024 Byers coached Furman’s top performer — All-American linebacker Evan DiMaggio, who paced  the Southern Conference with 120 tackles, including 10.5 for-loss, to cap an impressive career. In 2023 Byers oversaw a Paladin inside linebacking corps that produced stellar play, highlighted by All-SoCon honors for Braden Gilby, who paced the squad with 94 tackles and 15 tackles for-loss.  Byers’ troops were a driving force in Furman’s season, which netted a 10-3 record, second round playoff appearance, and consensus FCS Top 10 final rankings.  Included in the campaign, Furman’s winningest since 2005, was a run of seven consecutive victories and five straight road triumphs — the most by the program in over 30 years. The Paladin defense, which Byers helped coordinate, proved to be the SoCon’s best by the end of the season, topping the league in scoring defense (20.2 ppg) and producing FCS best numbers for interceptions (16) and turnovers gained (29). In his first two seasons at Furman he directed the play of All-Southern Conference bandit Adrian Hope, who concluded his Paladin tenure ranked second in career sacks (25.5). Byers, who served in a defensive quality control capacity for the Paladins in 2015, returned to Furman following a one-year stint as graduate assistant linebackers coach at Marshall University (2019) and a three-year tenure (2016-18) at Shepherd University, where he served in a variety of roles, including linebackers coach, special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and director of operations. At Marshall he played a role in the development of 2019 All-Conference USA linebackers Tavante Beckett and Omari Cobb.  In his time at Shepherd, he worked with defensive units that ranked among the best in NCAA Division II in rushing defense, total defense, and scoring defense, and which helped the Rams to two Mountain East Conference Championships and a pair of NCAA Playoff appearances, including a semifinal finish 2016. Byers’ 2016-18 tenure at Shepherd was his second at the Shepherdstown, W.Va., school.  From 2013-15 he coached the Rams’ wide receivers and was part the program’s 2013 Mountain East Conference crown. During his 2015 season at Furman he was part of a Paladin program that knocked off Central Florida, 16-15. Byers attended James Madison University from 2008-12 and played linebacker for the Dukes, rising from walk-on to scholarship status.  After winning the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) title in 2008, the Dukes knocked of Virginia Tech, 21-16, in 2010. Holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from JMU, which he received in 2012, he is married to Kelly Gooch, formerly of Richmond, Va.  They have a daughter, Charley.  

Drew Dudzik is entering his fourth year as Furman’s wide receiver coach and coordinator of the Paladins’ passing game. Dudzik has experienced notable success since his arrival in Greenville in 2022, with his first passing attack accounting for 20 touchdowns and 209.8 yards per game that helped pave the way to a 10-3 record and 31-6 first round FCS playoff victory over Elon.  Included in his inaugural campaign, Furman’s winningest since 2005, was a run of seven consecutive victories and five straight road triumphs — the most by the program in over 30 years. The 2023 season produced similar success, with Furman registering another 10-3 season that yielded the program’s 15th Southern Conference championship, powered by a passing game that accounted for 17 touchdowns and 189.3 yards per contest.  The Paladins earned a No. 7 seed in the FCS playoffs, a first round playoff bye, and a 31-6 second round triumph over Chattanooga. Dudzik came to Furman following three seasons (2019-21) at East Carolina, where he played a central role in the development of two-time All-American Conference (AAC) wideout Tyler Snead. Prior to his stint at ECU, Dudzik served as wide receivers coach for three seasons at James Madison (2016-18), his alma mater, where played a role in the Dukes winning 35 games, including the 2016 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national championship.  In 2017 James Madison went 14-1 and finished as national runner-up, While at JMU he directed the fortunes of five Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) selections and one Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-American. Dudzik began his coaching career at Duke as a graduate assistant (2014-15), helping the Blue Devils to 17 victories, including a 44-41 overtime triumph over Indiana in the 2015 New Era Pinstripe Bowl. He played in 37 games at James Madison, serving as the Dukes’ starting quarterback as a senior while passing for 1,925 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for 728 yards and 10 scores. He graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation management, later adding a master’s degree in sports leadership. Dudzik is married to the former Meredith Klein of Chantilly, Va.  They have three children -- Luke, Jordyn, and Shane.

Kevin Lewis joined Furman’s football program in February of 2020 and over the last five seasons has played a key role in the solid work registered by the Paladin defensive line. In 2022 Lewis’ ability and diligence yielded a big harvest as his front proved to be major factor in Furman’s season, which produced a 10-3 record, second round playoff appearance, and consensus FCS Top 10 final rankings.  Included in the campaign, Furman’s winningest since 2005, was a run of seven consecutive victories and five straight road triumphs — the most by the program in over 30 years. Directing the efforts of a talented group featuring a heavy rotation of up to eight players, Furman’s defensive line produced across the spectrum, helping the Paladins top the Southern Conference in scoring defense (20.5 ppg) while also excelling against the run (116.2 ypg), producing  31 sacks, and contributing to the Paladins’ FCS-best 29 turnovers gained. Headlining the effort was the play of consensus All-SoCon nose guard Cameron Coleman, who followed the selection of defensive lineman Parker Stokes, another Lewis product, to the All-SoCon team in 2021. Lewis directed an encore performance in 2023, helping key Furman a second consecutive 10-3 campaign, SoCon championship, and FCS quarterfinal round playoff appearance with what proved to be one of the top defensive fronts in program history.  The Paladins yielded just 96.9 yards per game rushing (FCS/8th), produced 38 sacks (FCS/8th), limited opponents to 18.2 points per game (FCS/11th), and registered 18 interceptions (FCS/3rd), and 27 turnovers gained (FCS/3rd). Among the unit’s headliners were a pair of All-SoCon selections — ends Luke Clark and Jack Barton, and defensive tackle Matt Sochovka.  Lewis joined Furman following one season at Army West Point, where he coached the Black Knights’ defensive front. Prior to his stint at Army he served as defensive line coach at William & Mary for five years, where he mentored All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) selections each year, including All-American defensive end Mike Reilly. Honored as 2014 CAA Defensive Player of the Year, Reilly signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns following a senior campaign, when he ranked 13th nationally in sacks per game. In addition to Reilly, two other Lewis-coached Tribe defensive linemen, tackles Jasper Coleman and Tyler Claytor, earned All-CAA honors and NFL opportunities — Coleman with the Houston Texans and Claytor with the Chicago Bears.   Defensive tackle Isaiah Stephens continued the legacy of excellence under Lewis by earning all-conference honors during the 2016-17 seasons, while junior defensive tackle Bill Murray was tabbed in 2018.   Prior to his stop in Williamsburg, Lewis served as defensive line coach at Dartmouth for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. In his second year there he helped the Big Green rank ninth nationally in scoring defense.  Lewis also coached three seasons at Richmond, where he served as the defensive line assistant for two years before being promoted to defensive line coach following the 2010 campaign. In addition to helping the Spiders post a 20-15 record, including an 11-2 mark in 2009 when Richmond reached the NCAA FCS Quarterfinals, he coached first-team All-American Martin Parker, who went on to help the New York Giants win the Super Bowl. A 2005 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in history, Lewis was a three-year starter who helped the Hokies win the 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship and appear in four bowl games. He went on to play professionally with the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europe and was invited to training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A product of Varina High School in Richmond, Va., Lewis began his coaching career at his prep alma mater in 2007.  

Tafon Mainsah is in his third year as an assistant coach in charge of Furman’s cornerbacks. Mainsah joined the Paladin program in the spring of 2023 and in his first season played a pivotal role in Furman’s 10-3 campaign that netted a Southern Conference championship and appearance in the FCS playoff quarterfinals. Fueling Furman’s drive to the league title in his first campaign in Greenville was an outstanding Paladin defense that surrendered just 18.2 points per game (FCS/11th) and registered 18 interceptions (FCS/3rd) and 27 turnovers gained (FCS/3rd).  The names behind the numbers included All-American cornerback Travis Blackshear and Michael Robinson, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Mainsah joined Davidson in 2019 as a volunteer assistant coach and was promoted to full-time in 2020 while overseeing the program’s cornerbacks. During his tenure at Davidson he played a role in the Wildcats earning a pair of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff berths, including the 2021 campaign that netted a Pioneer Football League (PFL) regular season championship.  In 2022 the Wildcats captured the PFL’s automatic bid to the playoffs and finished the season with an 8-4 record. Mainsah fashioned an outstanding collegiate playing career at Richmond and competed professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL). While at Richmond he played defensive back and served as a team captain, helping UR to FCS playoff appearances in 2014, ‘15, and ‘16.  The 2015 Spiders’ squad reached the national semifinals and finished ranked fourth in the STATS Perform final poll. All told he saw action in 40 games and totaled 108 tackles, six interceptions, and 32 pass breakups at Richmond.   Following graduation from UR, he participated in NFL camps with the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens, before landing with the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL. While in Ottawa, he helped the squad reach the Grey Cup in 2018.   A native of Wichita, Kan., Mainsah grew up playing soccer and basketball before moving to Charlotte, N.C., his junior year of high school, where he picked up football. He started for two years at Charlotte Catholic, earning All-Mega 7 Conference Team and All-Mecklenburg County second team honors in 2012. He was also named Charlotte Catholic’s Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2013.  

Justin Roper is in his fourth year as Furman’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, having joined the program in 2022. In his first year Roper’s Paladin offense flourished, producing 33.3 points and 421.9 yards per game as one of the most balanced units in the FCS, all while keying Furman’s 10-3 campaign that netted a second round playoff appearance and consensus FCS Top 10 final rankings.  Included in the season, Furman’s winningest since 2005, was a run of seven consecutive victories and five straight road triumphs — the most by the program in over 30 years. Roper directed a unit that out-gained FBS 5th-ranked Clemson and one that thrived under the direction of graduate quarterback Tyler Huff, who accounted for nearly 2,900 yards in total offense and 23 touchdowns. In addition, Furman produced All-SoCon performer Dominic Roberto (1,120 yards, 11 TDs). In 2023 Furman delivered another 10-3 season, claimed the program’s 15th SoCon championship, and advanced to the FCS playoff quarterfinals thanks, in part, to more high-powered offense under Roper’s direction and execution by Huff, who was named SoCon Offensive Player of the Year. Roper came to Furman following two seasons at Holy Cross, where he served as offensive coordinator, helping the Crusaders to back-to-back Patriot League Championship and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff appearances.  In 2021 he was instrumental in Holy Cross going 10-3 and advancing to the second round of the FCS playoffs. The Crusaders’ offense, which he coordinated, averaged 32.2 points and was one of the most balanced in the nation, averaging 203.8 rushing yards and 201.5 yards passing per game. He spent the 2019 season as the quarterbacks coach at Northern Iowa, where he helped the Panthers to a 10-5 record and trip to the FCS playoff quarterfinals thanks to the development of freshman quarterback Will McElvain, who completed 203 of 382 passes for 2,778 yards and 20 touchdowns.  Prior to his stint at Northern Iowa, Roper served as the offensive coordinator at Slippery Rock from 2016-2018, during which time The Rock posted an overall record of 26-10, including an overall mark of 11-3 that featured a trip to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals in 2018. Two of his understudies, quarterbacks Tanner Garry (2017) and Roland Rivers (2018), earned All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honors. From 2014-2015, Roper coached quarterbacks at Valdosta (Ga.) State, helping the team to an overall record of 19-6 and two trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Blazers’ offense averaged 439.0 total yards and 34.3 points per game during his two years on the staff, with quarterback Jake Medlock collecting second team All-Gulf South Conference laurels in 2014. Roper began his coaching career as running backs coach at the University of Findlay (Ohio) in 2013. The Oilers went 8-3 during his lone year on the staff, with running back Daiquone Ford earning All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors. A former signal caller, Roper played at the University of Oregon from 2007-2008, throwing four touchdown passes in a 56-21 victory over South Florida in the 2007 Sun Bowl. He went on to play at the University of Montana from 2009-2010, helping the Grizzlies to an appearance in the 2009 football championship subdivision championship game.  Over the course of his collegiate career, he threw for 3,788 yards and 36 touchdowns.  Roper also spent time in the Arena Football League with the Chicago Rush and the Orlando Predators, and was a member of Montana’s basketball team that advanced to the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Roper is a 2012 graduate of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He is married to the former Kaci Vandergrift.

Bryce Caputo returned to his alma mater in 2023 as football equipment manager. Prior to rejoining the Paladins, he served as assistant equipment manager for all sports, with an emphasis on football, at Limestone University for one year following a short stint as a warehouse assistant for apparel and equipment/printing and embroidering services with First Team Sports in Greenville. Caputo worked two years (2020-21) as director of football operations and assistant equipment manager at North Greenville University, where he helped maintain the equipment room and organize team travel arrangements, among other duties.  He secured a master’s in business administration degree from NGU in December of 2021. While at Furman, Caputo served as a student equipment manager for four seasons and graduated in May of 2019 with a degree in English.  He remained on with the Paladins for the 2019 football season as a football operations intern and equipment assistant. He is a Greenville native and product of St. Joseph’s Catholic School.

Josh Murphy was named wide receivers coach at Furman, head coach Clay Hendrix announced on Feb. 24.   Murphy spent the 2025 season in charge of offensive quality control and as an assistant wide receivers coach under Drew Dudzik, who has taken on the responsibility of coach of Furman's quarterbacks for the upcoming 2026 season.  Justin Roper will remain as the Paladins' offensive coordinator. "Josh is a terrific young coach who did an outstanding job for our team in every aspect this past year," said Hendrix in making the announcement.  "His work made it an easy decision to promote him to lead our wide receiver group." Prior to joining the Paladins, Murphy served as a student assistant coach at his alma mater, East Carolina, for the 2024 campaign.   Murphy played wide receiver and was four-year member of East Carolina's football program and collected American Athletic Conference  All-Academic Team honors, as well as ECU Director of Athletics Honor Roll recognition.   A Myrtle Beach, S.C., native, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration in May of 2024.

Cory Colder is entering his third year as the Paladins’ running back coach, having joined the program January of 2023 following two seasons at Davidson. In his first season with Furman his corps of running backs played a key role in the Paladins’ 10-3 season, Southern Conference championship, and FCS quarterfinal playoff appearance.  The unit included All-SoCon performer Dominic Roberto, who rushed for 767 yards and 11 touchdowns to cap a stellar career. In 2024 Colder coached SoCon All-Freshman performer Gavin Hall. Colder played a role in Davidson earning FCS playoff berths in his two seasons with the Wildcats, including the 2021 campaign that netted a Pioneer Football League regular season championship.  The driving force behind Davidson’s success were powerful rushing attacks, including the 2022 version that averaged a FCS leading 331.5 yards per game. Colder’s top product, two-time All-PFL running back Coy Williams, led the way by rushing for 801 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022.  In 2021 he was joined on the All-PFL team by back field teammate Dylan Sparks. Colder’s two-year stint at Davidson followed two years in a similar capacity at Valparaiso, where he coached All-PFL running back Robert Washington, the league’s top rusher.   A native of Ashburn, Va., and a 2018 graduate of East Tennessee State University, Colder was a member of the Buccaneers’ first recruiting class in a revived football program that had been idled for over a decade.  He was part of the Bucs’ 2018 Southern Conference championship team that earned the league’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. He is married to Emily Baumgartner, formerly of Fishers, Indiana.

Furman head football coach Clay Hendrix announced on Jan. 20 that Kyle Jolly has been named the Paladins' new offensive line coach.   Jolly, who last year served as an offensive line assistant, succeeds Matt McCutchan.   Prior to coming to Furman last year Jolly served as head football coach at Sickles (Fla.) High School for two years (2022-23) and offensive coordinator at King (Fla.) High School in 2021.   Jolly sports Southern Conference coaching experience through a two-year stint (2019-20) at VMI, where he served as offensive line coach/run game coordinator.  In his two seasons in Lexington, he helped the Keydets post an 11-9 record, highlighted by a 6-2 Southern Conference championship campaign in 2020 — VMI's first winning season since 1981 and first league title since 1977.  In addition to the league crown, the Keydets' 5-0 start in 2020 was the program's best since 1960, and its national ranking and FCS playoff appearance that year both represented first-time accomplishments for the Keydets.   Jolly's tenure at VMI followed a one-year stop at Concord University as offensive line coach, where he helped the Mountain Lions post dramatic improvement in scoring, first downs, rushing yards, and total offense.   Prior to Concord, Jolly served as a graduate assistant coach on offense at Washington for two seasons (2016-17) and at Old Dominion for three years, where he also coached tight ends.   Before entering the coaching profession Jolly spent time in the NFL as a member of the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers organizations. He was with the Steelers in 2011 when they captured the AFC Championship and appeared in Super Bowl XLV.   As a three-year starter for the University of North Carolina, Jolly earned nods in 38 consecutive games at left tackle and played against West Virginia University in the 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte.   He was voted team captain for the Tar Heels in 2009 and earned All-ACC honorable mention.  He graduated from UNC in 2009 with a degree in exercise and sports science/communications and added master's degrees in physical education from Old Dominion (2016) and in intercollegiate athletic leadership from Washington (2017).   He and his wife Jasmine have two sons.