Chadwell mixes up coaching staff in search of new direction
Posted by The Skyliner on March 25th, 2009Paul Conner
Staff Writer
First-year head coach Jamey Chadwell continued to revamp the North Greenville football program last week. Six of the seven assistants who coached under Mike Taylor last year were let go, and Chadwell named his replacements last Friday.
Butch Berry will step in as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, and Skylor Magee and Chad Staggs will be co-defensive coordinators in place of Mitch Hall. Magee will also coach the defensive line, and Staggs will coach the linebackers. Jonathan Wheeler will manage the defensive backs, and Jonathon Chadwell, the head coach’s brother, will replace former Furman player Justin Stepp as wide receivers coach.
Matt Durham, running backs coach, is the only Taylor-era survivor.
“You want to be around guys that you know and you trust and who believe in what the university is about,” Chadwell said. “These guys that we’ve brought in represent the ideals of the people that I want our players to emulate.”
Chadwell is hoping to take advantage of the continuity among the defensive coaches, who served as graduate assistants together at the University of South Carolina.
“The defensive staff has all worked together, so that makes the transition go smoothly,” Chadwell said.
Magee joined the staff from Nicholls State, a Football Championship Subdivision program, and Staggs followed Chadwell from Charleston Southern, also an FCS program. Wheeler is a Columbia native who played defensive back for Wofford from 2001-2004.
“Personally I think that you can come from any level and be a successful coach, but being at those places, other coaches recognize that you have knowledge and expertise,” said Chadwell. “We’ve brought in guys from high school to I-AA, guys who we think will be successful.”
Chadwell has already left his mark on the Crusaders program since being named head coach Feb. 6. The players’ workouts have intensified with the hope with the hope that discipline and dedication in the weight room will translate positively on the field. Players are required to participate in running drills five days per week and lifting exercises four day per week.
“The new system is fast-paced and mentally challenging,” offensive lineman Jordan Floro, sophomore interdisciplinary studies said. “But I think the discipline will show out on the field.”
Staggs and Magee will direct a 3-4 defense, utilizing three defensive linemen and four defensive linebackers, led by Division II All-American linebacker Andre Bernardi, senior sport management, first team All-ICAA defensive back Xavier Boykin, junior sport management, and second team All-ICAA linebacker Nick Rosamonda, freshman sport management.
The offensive attack will be led by quarterback Richard Harb, junior history, who will return with a year of experience under his belt. The Crusaders will be without the running back tandem of Matt Moore, senior business administration/accounting, and Rashad Cummings, senior sport management/business administration, due to graduation.
“We’ve been encouraged by the response from the players, because we’re trying to implement a lot of different things,” Chadwell said. “We’re trying to put our stamp on the way we do things, because we think that is how we’ll be successful.”