The Southern Utah Thunderbirds football (also referred to as the SUU Thunderbirds) program is a college football team that represents Southern Utah University (SUU). Spring practices have been without the top two receiving targets, Ethan Bolingbroke and Brandon Schenks, who are both recovering from injuries. Coach Fernandez also served as the team's recruiting coordinator for 5 years. 2023 www.thespectrum.com. Southern Utah Football @SUUFB_ Jan 11 Introducing your SUU football coaching staff Hit the link to see which new coaches will be leading our Thunderbirds in 2022 suutbirds.com/news/2022/1/11 # StormTheSky 3 replies 23 retweets 157 likes Tyler Smith Retweeted Nick Lober @LoberNick Jan 11 Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. In his three years with the Cougars, Price only tallied five total tackles, but the Pleasant Grove native will be a key fixture with plenty of young faces in the Thunderbird secondary. 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. Sean Ellertson is a sports reporter for the St. George Spectrum & Daily News. Kelling joins the Southern Utah staff after serving as head coach at Lock Haven University since January of 2020. Hes going to play safety and hes going to run around and make 40-60 tackles for us,Fitzgerald said. They also have three young grandsons. Bolingbroke and Schenks are slated to come back in the fall but both will miss the Spring Game due to injuries. sports@suunews.net SUU is hopeful Fitzgerald can produce similar results in Cedar City. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Well have a football program thats based on a culture of competitiveness and competitive greatness.. Demario Warren, SUU mutually agree to part ways - Deseret News All Rights Reserved, This Utah college football team is now looking for a new head coach. The team began spring practices on Monday, March 21, and the . The program will enter the WAC next season. The new T-Birds are made up of 15 signees straight from high school and eight transferring from previous colleges. and will lead SUU in their first year in WAC play. 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. 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. Not just out at practice and in the weight room, but with everything. What Utah college football players have entered the transfer portal this spring? "Coach Warren has been a cherished member of this institution and community for the last 14 years," Corum said. 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 Fitzgerald is less focused on the outcomes of games than he is on his team competing. Southern Utah. Acord also played wide receiver during high school and was a First Team All-Region performer. Karris Davis, Isaiah Williams, Thomas Duckett, and David Moore III all received over 40 touches on the ground. He has elevated the football program in many ways and has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of young men. CEDAR CITY - Southern Utah University and head football coach Demario Warren announced recently that they have mutually agreed to part . Smith worked with a receiving corps which was a part of the 11th ranked passing offense in the FCS averaging 294.2 yards per game. The Thunderbirds earned the eighth seed in the FCS playoffs; Warren was the conference coach of the year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award. We asked each of our five candidates to take 90 minutes and tell us what they would do with the program, Corum said, referring to the final group of applicants. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. The Thunderbird football program got longer, stronger and faster today.". The SUU head coach feels that redshirt senior punter Jake Gerardi could be another NFL-bound player. Halewas named Second Team All-Trinity League for his work on the field and Scholar Athlete of the Year in the classroom with a 4.29 GPA. 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.. New head coach DeLane Fitzgerald addresses his team following Wednesday's practice. Demario Warren out as Southern Utah head football coach - The Spectrum Gardner, a redshirt freshman, was Fitzgeralds biggest surprise along the offensive line. UNLV wide receiver Steve Jenkins runs after a catch during game against San Diego State, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Las Vegas. If you see me yell or make funny faces, its because the pins in these pants have stuck me.. We are aiming to build a solid foundation.. He has a chance to be as good as he wants to be. 'We will be exciting': SUU welcomes new head football coach 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. Corum said that throughout the hiring process, because we had such great candidates, I just kept hoping that somebody would separate themselves. Robison was graded as a three-star quarterback in the 2020 cycle, and the 73rd best dual-threat quarterback in the class. Fitzgeralds staff at Frostburg consistently led D-II in tackles for loss and sacks, which should only drive up Bemiys potential. The next time Southern Utah football takes the field at Eccles Coliseum, it will do so as a member of the Western Athletic Conference with the school set to join the new league in July of 2022. 13 talking about this. 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 Sophomore running back Isaiah Williams ran the ball 32 times last season for 206 yards and scored four touchdowns, but looks to be the lead back now. Tapasa will start his seventh season at SUU in 2022. 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. Rancho Cucamonga, California / Alta Loma HS. 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. A native of Erda, Utah, he is a graduate of Tooele High School, where he was an all-state and all-region performer. Were going to show up for things. Before the regular season rolls around in late summer, Southern Utah University football will host its Spring Game to culminate the spring training season. "These 23 young men are the foundation on which we are going to build a great FCS football program. Southern Utah football spring practices: Thunderbirds rebuilding on the From 2004-11, Kelling coached at the University of North Dakota where he faced the Thunderbirds on multiple occasions. Its what I do.. Joining Fitzgerald from Frostburg State, Magginson will work as the defensive ends coach at SUU. Fernandez joined the staff as an undergraduate assistant in 2009 following a stellar career as a Thunderbird player. The T-Birds went 1-10 and 0-8 in Big Sky play in 2021. Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Price was out of Wednesdays practice due to his wedding on Thursday. Fitzgerald spoke of the multiplicity of offensive tactics he likes to employ, which he said will typically evolve depending on the players. In fact, the 2022 roster is slated to have about 40 freshmen. Needing to plug multiple gaps along the line has left spots open for competition. While playing for the Thunderbirds, Hunt started 33 straight games from his sophomore to senior seasons, never missing a game during his career. More:Demario Warren out as Southern Utah head football coach after six seasons. A big part of spring ball is the learning and getting a feel for what we want. 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. 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 . Singleton transferred to Liberty following the departure of Demario Warren. 11/15/2021 9:23:00 AM. Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics, SUU students protest HB0011 in support of transgender athletes, SPB ends Sunfest week with Most Fun Friday, Art Challis: The voice of the Thunderbirds, Raising the bar: The legacy of SUU Gymnastics, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnR7Qpa9dTk&ab_channel=SUTV-9News. His best season came in 2021 when he led the team with 694 yards. And this man did.. [2] Lamb served as the head football coach at Southern Utah University (SUU) from 2007 to 2015. Peterson played three years of college football, starting as a quarterback for the University of New Mexico in 2007. Starting under center for the Thunderbirds is Justin Miller, whose 2,416 passing yards were one of the few bright spots in a tough 2021 season. Copyright 2010 - 2023 StGeorgeUtah.com LLC, all rights reserved. He was named First Team All-District on both offense and special teams during high school. TicketSmarter: Official Ticket Resale Partner, George S. Eccles Sports Performance Center, Video Platform powered by CBS Sports Digital, Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks Coach, Running Backs Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Linebackers Coach and Special Teams Coordinator, Interior Defensive Line Coach/Director of Football Operations, Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning. Bemiy totaled 48 total tackles in 2021 and paced SUU in sacks (4) and TFLs (12.5). SUU is a caring campus community where students come to explore their interests and prepare for meaningful careers and life experiences . For all the latest on Southern Utah football, follow @SUUFB_ on Twitter, @SUUFB on Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Football Facebook page. The Dolphins won 10 conference championships across multiple sports during Bates' tenure. The only thing thats going to stop Isaiah Williams is Isaiah Williams, Fitzgerald said. Claude Edward Lamb III [1] (born March 4, 1974) is an American college football coach and former player. (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.. Southern Utah Thunderbirds football - Wikipedia Though a newcomer at the school, he comes to Cedar City with plenty of coaching experience and high expectations. With the success, head coach Ed Lamb joined the staff at Brigham Young in Provo and defensive coordinator Demario Warren was promoted.[11]. But if youre trying to break it down, were going to be 45% run, 45% pass, and then the jet sweep stuff and option will be about 10%, he said. We completely revamped the safety position, the wide receiver position, the running back position and got some things going there that are pretty positive.. Each one of today's signees brings a physical skill set and a mentality that our coaching staff is looking for. Staff Directory - Southern Utah University Athletics All rights reserved. Fitzgerald is also high on the groundwork he and his staff have laid with the incoming freshmen. Football SUU parting ways with head football coach Demario Warren The Thunderbirds feature a first-time Division I head coach in DeLane Fitzgerald, who moved across the country from D-II Frostburg State (Md.) Copyright 2023 Southern Utah University. SUU football: New league, new coach T-birds look get to back on track Main Phone (435) 865-8355 Fax (435) 865-8078. CEDAR CITY Southern Utah Universitys newly hired football coach received a warm welcome from players, fans and university officials on Thursday afternoon. Were much than we were two and a half weeks ago,Fitzgerald said on Wednesday, during which the team held a spring practice on campus. 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. SUU football to kick off 2022 season with Spring Game 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. Football Coaches - Southern Utah University Athletics Warren was named head coach in 2016 after spending the two previous seasons as defensive coordinator. The Southern Utah University football team is a team in transition. 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. The move comes as SUU is just 1-10 this season, including 0-8 in Big Sky Conference play. The Spring Game will start with a practice first at 1 p.m. and the intersquad game will start after an hour at the Eccles Coliseum and is free to attend. The defensive end led the team with four sacks and added 48 tackles last season. After working with the defense for his first four years coach Fernandez made the jump to the offensive side of the ball in 2013 where he coached the Tight Ends and Coordinated the Special Teams for two years. 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 Information on each individual coach can be readbelow. Bates joins Southern Utah after serving one season as the strength and conditioning coach for Hampton University. Iglesias was a three-year starter for Orange. Director of Football Operations / Player Personnel. and will lead SUU in their first year in WAC play. I'm excited to build a great college football program with them.". We have to find the other half and then we have to find some depth., More:Southern Utah announces first signing class under coach DeLane Fitzgerald. Enter your email below to start! Corum, along with SUU Interim President Mindy Benson, Senior Associate Athletic Director Jeff Tukuafu and the rest of the hiring committee, and said hes looking forward to getting started right away on the process of building his staff by hiring coordinators and assistant coaches. He also said he plans to actively recruit top athletes from Arizona, Nevada and Southern California. Cox participated in multiple high school all-star events, including the Crab Bowl and Eastern Shore Bowl Game in Maryland. 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. Kelling was named Football Gazette's Division II National Defensive Player of the Year in 1991 during his playing days. Southern Utah Football | Cedar City UT - Facebook Our players have a better understanding of the offense, defense, and special teams (schemes). Before his brief stint at LHU, Kelling served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Frostburg State University under coach Fitzgerald. Next season will bring a lot of change for SUU football as they move from the Big Sky Conference to the Western Athletic Conference. Acord comes to Cedar City by way of Northridge High School in North Salt Lake, Utah. Rosser played his college football at James Madison from 2000-01 and earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from JMU in 2003. 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. It is important to me that everybody in this program gets a clean slate, said Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald believes that this team will be just the beginning of something great at SUU. "He has elevated the football program in many ways and has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of young men. Moore had four touchdowns on 48 carries, while Duckett had 179 yards on 54 touches. 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. He served as team captain of the track and field team and won his school's Student-Athlete Leadership Award and Community Service Award. 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. Magginson spent four years as a coach on the FSU staff, working with the entirety of the defensive line. Smith comes to TSU after two seasons as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Southern Utah. Coming off a 1-10 season and led by an overhauled coaching staff, foundational pieces for the rebuild may be starting to take shape. 2023 Football Roster - Southern Utah University Athletics. 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.". Like Magginson, Brunson comes to Southern Utah by way of Frostburg State as both a player and coach. [4], In 1993, Southern Utah moved up to Division I-AA and joined the American West Conference (AWC) as a charter member. He was also an Academic All-Region honoree. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Since then, Tapasa has transitioned into a role as assistant coach overseeing the linebackers for Southern Utah. Williams led the Thunderbirds averaging 6.2 yards per carry. 1/11/2022 4:36:00 PM. Griffiths was named the 4A Defensive Player of the Year as a linebacker and earned First Team All-State honors. 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.