Looks like a good hire. UT Martin had been a FCS wasteland until recently. There defense was part of the reason for the relative improvement at UT Martin.
Photo by UT Martin Athletics
Stephen F. Austin Football
Jeff Byrd to be named Defensive Coordinator at SFA
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks weren't without a defensive leader for long. Reports confirmed by The Sawmill indicate that University of Tennessee at Martin defensive coordinator Jeff Byrd will make a move to the same position at SFA. An official announcement is expected early in the coming week.
Byrd assisted head coach Jason Simpson the past five seasons at UT Martin in the Ohio Valley Conference where his team frequently put up impressive defensive numbers. Byrd mentored numerous all-conference players including Montori Hughes who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2013.
@CoachJeffByrd
UT Martin defensive coordinator Jeff Byrd on the sideline during a Skyhawks football game.
SFA head coach Clint Conque and Byrd share connections to the state of Arkansas where the latter coached at Arkansas Tech and Southern Arkansas before making the move to Tennessee. Byrd graduated from Southern Mississippi
in 1989 where he was an offensive lineman and member of the 1988
Independence Bowl championship team.
Byrd replaces Matt Williamson at SFA who departed along with three other assistants shortly after the 2016 season concluded. Williamson has since been named the head coach at Missouri Western State (DII).
Notable defensive scheme changes are on the table with Byrd's hire. Stay tuned as details emerge over the coming days and weeks.
Byrd assisted head coach Jason Simpson the past five seasons at UT Martin in the Ohio Valley Conference where his team frequently put up impressive defensive numbers. Byrd mentored numerous all-conference players including Montori Hughes who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2013.
@CoachJeffByrd
UT Martin defensive coordinator Jeff Byrd on the sideline during a Skyhawks football game.
Byrd replaces Matt Williamson at SFA who departed along with three other assistants shortly after the 2016 season concluded. Williamson has since been named the head coach at Missouri Western State (DII).
Notable defensive scheme changes are on the table with Byrd's hire. Stay tuned as details emerge over the coming days and weeks.
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