20 rising star Group of Five assistant coaches you need to know

This past coaching cycle featured five new FBS head coaches — Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, Purdue’s Ryan Walters, USF’s Alex Golesh, Western Michigan’s Lance Taylor and Texas State’s GJ Kinne — who all had something in common from an On3 standpoint. Each had been selected at some point in the last couple years for either On3’s preseason rising star assistant coach list or On3’s in-season stock up assistant coach.

Each year, the goal for the lists is to identify top up-and-coming coaches around the country positioned for continued advancement moving forward. In addition to the now current head coaches, there have also been other former rising star selections such as Ohio State’s Brian Hartline, Tennessee’s Joey Halzle and Iowa State’s Nathan Scheelhaase who have since moved into coordinator roles at those schools as well as plenty of other coaches who have since been hired by bigger schools.

Now, it’s time for this year’s preseason rising star assistant selections. As always, the picks are based on votes and feedback from numerous sources around the coaching world and doesn’t include coaches that were on previous On3 preseason rising star lists. It’s also limited to coaches 45 and under. 

Here are our 2023 selections at the Group of Five level (listed alphabetically). We shared our Power Five picks Wednesday.

Freddie Banks, Colorado State defensive coordinator

After a tough four-game stretch to open his first season at Colorado State, which included matchups against Michigan and Washington State, Banks’ defense limited opponents to 17 points or fewer in five of the Rams’ final eight games. Included in that was Colorado State’s first shutout since 2016, a 17-0 win over New Mexico in its last game of the year.

Before CSU, Banks was the defensive coordinator at FCS Montana State and helped the team make its first FCS national championship game appearance since 1984 with a defense that ranked sixth-best in the FCS.

Tre Bell, Akron defensive backs coach

Two members of Joe Moorhead’s Akron staff were on the preseason rising star list last year — Winston DeLattiboudere, who is now the new defensive line coach at Minnesota, and Billy Fessler, who was promoted to offensive coordinator at Akron this offseason. Now, Bell is the latest Zips coach to be selected.

Before joining Akron’s staff, Bell was a graduate assistant at Florida State in 2021 and a GA for two seasons under Moorhead at Mississippi State. As a player, Bell was a defensive back at Vanderbilt and UConn. He was a starter for UConn in 2017.

“Tre is intelligent with a strong football IQ, possesses a great work ethic, consistently works to improve his craft as a teacher of fundamentals/technique and has proven to be a tireless and productive recruiter,” Moorhead told On3.

Da’Von Brown, Western Kentucky defensive backs coach

Despite only being 25 years old, Brown’s was so respected and highly thought of as an analyst at Ole Miss that he received consideration for the Rebels’ cornerbacks coach opening before the hiring of Western Kentucky’s Keynodo Hudson. Coincidentally, Western Kentucky then replaced Hudson by hiring Brown, who has garnered strong feedback since getting started at WKU.

Before getting into coaching, Brown was a safety under Kiffin at FAU and posted 76 tackles as a senior in 2019.

Cortez Carter, Louisiana Tech linebackers coach

Carter was hired at Louisiana Tech in March after spending the previous four seasons working under Mike Norvell at a combination of Florida (2020-22) and Memphis (2019). At FSU, Carter was a senior analyst and assisted with a defense that improved from No. 13 in the ACC in 2020 to No. 6 in 2021 all the way up to No. 1 in the conference last season.

As a player, Carter was a linebacker at Marshall.

Darius Eubanks, Georgia Southern safeties, nickels coach

Eubanks, a former Georgia Southern and NFL linebacker, returned to his alma mater this offseason after serving as a defensive backs coach at Liberty under Hugh Freeze last year. Under Eubanks, Flames safety Robert Rahimi ranked 11th nationally with five interceptions.

Prior to Liberty, Eubanks worked at Georgia State (2021) and Samford (2018-20). At Georgia State, he helped Antavious Lane become a first-team all-conference selection. Chris Edmonds was an FCS All-American under Eubanks at Samford.

“I think he’s a star,” Freeze told On3 of Eubanks.

George Frazier, FIU defensive line coach

As a player at Colorado, Frazier was not only a three-time team captain but also the Buffaloes’ first two-way player since 1964 as a contributor on both defense (at defensive end) and on offense (at tight end). As a senior in 2017, Frazier played 266 snaps on offense, 147 on defense and an additional 93 on special teams.

Now, six years later, he’s on the rise as a coach. Frazier is entering his second season at FIU after two years as the defensive line coach at FCS UT-Martin, where he helped the team rank second in the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring defense and tackles for loss. 

“He’s really good,” an FIU source told On3. “Relates to the players. Gets it. Detailed. All the things you’d ever want to see in a guy, he’s got it. Recruits well. And the improvement from last year to this year with our d-line is ridiculous.”

Demerick Gary, North Texas defensive line coach

Like Da’Von Brown, Gary is already an assistant coach at the FBS level within four years of finishing his playing career.

Gary, a former SMU defensive lineman, was hired at North Texas this offseason after spending last year as a defensive line graduate assistant at Houston, where he helped the Cougars lead the AAC in tackles for loss. He was a graduate assistant at Arkansas in 2021.

Bryant Haines, James Madison defensive coordinator

In his first season as James Madison’s defensive coordinator, Haynes led a unit that ranked fifth-best nationally and contributed to JMU finishing 8-3 in its first year as an FBS program. Haynes’ defense also ranked second nationally in rush defense, second in tackles for loss, sixth in third-down defense and 14th in takeaways.

Prior to being promoted to defensive coordinator, Haines was the Dukes’ linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator. A former Ball State linebacker, Haines posted 211 total tackles his final two college seasons and was an All-MAC selection as a senior in 2008.

“Impressive guy,” a source told On3. “I’ve been around some great defensive coaches and this guy can draw up stuff just as well as anybody. He’s really, really smart.”

Khenon Hall, SMU running backs coach

Hall and SMU have built one of the most talent-rich running backs room at the Group of Five level, featuring three former Power Five top recruits in Camar Wheaton (from Alabama), LJ Johnson (Texas A&M) and Jaylan Knighton (Miami). Hall also still has players such as Tyler Lavine, who led SMU with 642 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs last year.

Before SMU, Hall worked at Texas Southern and his alma mater, Illinois State. At Illinois State, Hall coached current New York Giants running back James Robinson, who became a two-time FCS All-American and two-time Walter Payton Award finalist under Hall.

“He’s just really sharp,” a coaching source told On3. “He learned the position. He was a (defensive back) guy by nature and learned the (running back) position. An elite recruiter, too, because of the type of person he is. He’s a good one.”

Brandon Harris, FAU co-DC, cornerbacks coach

Harris was not only retained by new FAU head coach Tom Herman but also promoted to co-defensive coordinator.

It’s part of what’s been a quick rise for the former Miami and NFL defensive back since getting into coaching in 2019 as a graduate assistant at FIU. Before being hired as the cornerbacks coach at FAU in January 2022, he spent 2021 as the cornerbacks coach at FIU and 2020 as an analyst at Florida State.

Harris is the son of legendary Miami high school coach Tim “Ice” Harris and the younger brother of Miami running backs coach Tim Harris Jr.

Dalton Hilliard, UConn defensive backs coach

Hilliard played under Jim Mora at UCLA, got his first college coaching opportunity under Mora as a Bruins graduate assistant and is now working under Mora at UConn.

Aided by nine interceptions from Hilliard’s defensive back group, the Huskies tied for 22nd nationally in takeaways last season. Before UConn, Hilliard was a defensive backs coach at Arkansas State (2021) and FCS UT-Martin (2019-20).

As a player at UCLA, Hilliard made 27 career starts at safety and finished with 114 career tackles.

“He coaches with a lot of energy and passion but with a lot of attention to detail,” a coaching source told On3. “His guys play really hard. When you look at the turnaround and improvement with really a similar group of guys, it’s pretty impressive. He’s very strong technically as a teacher and, just talking to him, he has a real understanding of scheme. I think he has a bright future.”

Jordy Joseph, Southern Miss quarterbacks coach

A former Tulane quarterback, Joseph is now entering his first season as Southern Miss’ QB coach after coaching the Golden Eagles’ running backs the last two years.

With help from Joseph, Frank Gore Jr. emerged as one of the top running backs at the Group of Five level and is now on the radar for NFL scouts as a draftable prospect for next year’s NFL draft. Gore ranked 16th nationally last season with an average of 106.3 yards per game.

Prior to Southern Miss, Joseph was an analyst at Tulane.

“Super smart,” Southern Miss head coach Will Hall told On3. “Phenomenal teacher. Great heart for people. Loyal. Made of the right stuff. Old soul from a fiber and moral standpoint.”

Mack Leftwich, Texas State offensive coordinator

Leftwich made the move to Texas State with G.J. Kinne after serving as Kinne’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season at Incarnate Word. During the 2022 season at Incarnate Word, Leftwich helped the team rank No. 1 among all Division I teams in scoring and reach the semifinals of the FCS playoffs.

Leftwich, a former UTEP QB, was Incarnate Word’s quarterbacks coach for three seasons prior to being tabbed the offensive coordinator last year under Kinne. Overall, his last two quarterbacks at Incarnate Word, Lindsey Scott and current Washington State QB Cam Ward, both evolved into FCS All-Americans under his watch. Scott, meanwhile, broke the FCS record for single-season touchdowns and won the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the top offensive player at the FCS level.

“Very detail-oriented,” Kinne told On3 of Leftwich. “Extremely hard worker. Former quarterback and a great position coach. What kind of separates him a little bit from other offensive coordinators is he’s an unbelievable position coach as well, coaching those quarterbacks. He does a great job coaching the quarterbacks. I love Mack. He’s awesome.”

Rod Ojong, Charlotte defensive backs coach

Ojong, who was an analyst at Georgia in 2020, worked at Buffalo the last two seasons before leaving to join the staff of new Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi.

With help from Ojong and his defensive back group, Buffalo tied for first in the MAC with 13 interceptions last season. Prior to Buffalo and Georgia, Ojong was a cornerbacks coach at the FCS level at Furman and Austin Peay.

“Rod is a wonderful man,” Poggi said after hiring Ojong. “Our players are going to love his guidance and the special bonds he forms with young people. He’s an incredibly knowledgeable coach that knows the entire scheme.”

Ryan Osborn, Charlotte defensive coordinator

Back-to-back coaches from Charlotte.

Osborn reunited with Poggi after the two previously worked together at Michigan in 2021, when Osborn was a Wolverines analyst and assisted with the development of All-American edge rushers Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo.

Osborn was a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens last year, helping with a defense that ranked third in the NFL in scoring defense and fifth in sacks. Before Michigan and Baltimore, Osborn was the defensive line coach at FCS UT-Martin and a graduate assistant under Dan Mullen at Mississippi State (2016-17) and Florida (2018-19).

”Coach Oz brings NFL and major college football experience,” Poggi said after hiring Osborn. “He’s coached at Florida, Michigan and Mississippi State as well as the Baltimore Ravens. He is incredibly bright, understands the entire defense and helped build Michigan’s defense as one of the best in the nation and (continued) to do so with the Baltimore Ravens. Players love playing for Coach Oz.”

Tayler Polk, Troy co-DC, inside linebackers coach

Polk was promoted to co-defensive coordinator at Troy this offseason after helping the Trojans rank No. 8 nationally in scoring defense during Jon Sumrall’s 12-2 debut season as Troy’s head coach.

Polk, a former Ole Miss linebacker, first worked around Sumrall as a Rebels graduate assistant in 2018 and was then hired by him after Sumrall landed the head coaching job at Troy. Prior to Troy, Polk was linebackers coach at FCS Central Arkansas, which led the FCS in takeaways and ranked third in tackles for loss during Polk’s final season there in 2021.

“Tayler is extremely high energy,” Sumrall told On3. “Very knowledgable and detailed. Relates well to players. And he’s one of the best recruiters I’ve been around in regards to building relationships and knowing people and actually investing into people.”

Gordon Sammis, UConn offensive line coach

Sammis and his offensive line group played a significant role in UConn improving from 117th nationally in sacks allowed and 123rd nationally in rush offense under the previous Huskies coaching staff in 2021 to 29th in sacks allowed and 33rd in rushing offense last season.

Improvement in those areas was a key component as UConn won more games in the first year of the Jim Mora era (six) than it had the previous three seasons combined (four). Under Sammis, Huskies offensive lineman Christian Haynes became just the third UConn player in the FBS era to be selected as an All-American.

Prior to UConn, Sammis was the offensive line coach for three seasons at FCS William & Mary.

“I think Gordie is legitimately one of the best o-line coaches in the country,” a coaching source told On3. “Just looking at how he teaches and leads his group, it’s really second to none. He’s just a developer and a really good teacher. He’s legit. He really is.”

Derrick Sherman, Tulane wide receivers coach

In his first year as a Tulane assistant, Sherman coached the Green Wave running back group and helped Tyjae Spears become AAC Offensive Player of the Year and a third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans. Now, Sherman is showing his versatility and shifting to coach Tulane’s wide receivers.

It’s a return to a position that Sherman coached previously at Georgia Southern and Samford. At Georgia Southern in 2021, Sherman had one first-team all-conference receiver and another receiver that earned honorable mention all-conference recognition.

“Derrick is as good of running Back AND wide receiver coach as I have been around,” a Tulane source told On3. “He is an exceptional teacher with great attention to detail.  He sees the entire picture on offense.  He gets the most out of his players from an ability, effort and toughness standpoint.”

Tino Sunseri, James Madison quarterbacks coach

Sal Sunseri has been a respected coach for a long time. Now, his sons are emerging as standout coaches too — Vinnie as a running backs coach in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Tino as the QB coach at James Madison.

Under Tino, James Madison QB Todd Centeio developed into the 2022 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year. That came after Sunseri’s previous QB at James Madison, Cole Johnson, became an FCS All-American and broke several school single-season records during the Dukes’ final season at the FCS level.

Sunseri, a former three-year starting quarterback at Pittsburgh, was a QB analyst at Alabama for two years prior to being hired at James Madison and assisted with Crimson Tide star QBs such as Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones. Before that, he was on staff at Tennessee and Florida State.

As Pittburgh’s starting QB in 2013, Sunseri threw for 3,288 yards with 21 touchdown passes and just interceptions.

“He’s a really good teacher,” a source told On3. “He coaches really, really hard but he loves on the kids at the same time. There’s a delicate balance but I think he’s kind of figured out where that is. He tries to build real relationships with them and he does a really good job with that. And as a recruiter, he’s pretty damn good. He can talk to anybody, and kids love him.”

L’Damian Washington, USF wide receivers coach

Washington, a former Missouri and NFL wide receiver, has been a quick riser in the college world in recent years.

After one season as director of player development at Missouri in 2020, Washington landed his first college coaching job at FCS Southern in 2021. He was then hired as an analyst at Oklahoma before eventually serving as the Sooners’ interim wide receivers coach last season and coaching players such as Denver Broncos 2023 second-round draft pick Marvin Mims.

Now, he’s at USF with first-year head coach Alex Golesh, who was previously the offensive coordinator for Josh Heupel’s top-ranked offense at Tennessee. As a player at Missouri, Washington posted career totals of 100 catches, 1,735 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.

“Really knowledgeable young coach,” Golesh told On3. “Relates incredibly well with his players and very easy to connect with in the staff room.”