Latest news with #BillWalshDiversityCoachingFellowship
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Former HBCU HC joins NFL coaching fellowship
Former Norfolk State University head coach and HBCU mainstay, Dawson Odums, is taking the next step in his coaching career, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as part of the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. This prestigious initiative provides minority coaches with invaluable experience working alongside professional teams during offseason programs and training camps. Odums, a respected figure in HBCU football, brings a wealth of experience to the Jaguars. He most recently led Norfolk State from 2021 to 2024. In his debut season, he guided the Spartans to a 6-5 record, their first winning campaign since 2007. His ability to turn around programs and build strong teams has earned him recognition across the HBCU community. Before Norfolk State, Odums had an impactful nine-year tenure as head coach at Southern University. There, he captured multiple SWAC West Division titles and was named SWAC Coach of the Year in 2013. He also served as an assistant coach at several institutions, including Gardner-Webb University, Georgia Southern University, Clark Atlanta University, Bethune-Cookman University, and North Carolina A&T State University. This wide-ranging experience has equipped Odums with a deep understanding of both player development and program building. A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Odums was a standout defensive lineman at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where he served as team captain and earned All-CIAA honors. He holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from NCCU. Odums' selection for the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship highlights the increasing impact of HBCU coaches in the NFL. Other notable HBCU coaches who have participated in the fellowship include Connell Maynor (Alabama A&M), Trei Oliver (North Carolina Central), and Buddy Pough (South Carolina State). These coaches have not only strengthened the bridge between HBCU programs and the NFL but have also inspired future generations of players and coaches. The Bill Walsh Fellowship provides participants with hands-on experience during NFL training camps and offseason programs. This exposure helps minority coaches refine their skills, expand their networks, and prepare for future opportunities in professional football. Odums will join Ari Confesor and Anthony Gaitor as part of the Jacksonville Jaguars' fellowship group. Together, they will collaborate with the coaching staff, learn advanced strategies, and contribute to the team's development throughout the offseason. The post Former HBCU HC joins NFL coaching fellowship appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans add 8 new coaches for the summer for Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship
Texans add 8 new coaches for the summer for Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship The Houston Texans will be welcoming a few new staff members for the summer ahead of training camp as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. The eight coaches who will be with the Texans include: Elijah Brooks, a third-year running backs coach at Virginia Tech; Jamil Douglas, a nine-year former NFL offensive lineman; Jordan Holland, who is the CEO of Woodcrest Consulting; Kerry Hyder, the head coach of Bishop Dunne Catholic High School and former NFL defensive lineman; Tevin Madison, a defensive backs analyst at Alabama; Maurice Sims, the associate athletic director for sports performance at Florida A&M Tyree Thompson, a linebackers analyst at UCLA; and Cary Williams, a former NFL defensive back who spent nine seasons with the Eagles, Ravens, Commanders, Seahawks and Titans. Since its inception in 1987, the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship is designed as a vocational tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches. All 32 NFL clubs participate in the program each year. The program's objective is to utilize NFL clubs' offseason workout programs and minicamps to provide talented coaches with opportunities to observe, participate, gain experience, and ultimately secure a full-time NFL coaching position. The Texans return to practice on Tuesday for the second week of OTAs.
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Vikings DL joins Eagles coaching staff for 2025 season
Former Vikings DL joins Eagles coaching staff for 2025 season The pathway for former players to become coaches at various levels of football has never been easier or more achievable in the game's history. Whether it be through programs or by starting with teams or schools they previously played, it can happen much easier than previously thought. One of those former players is one with a history from the Vikings in Kenechi Udeze. The former first-round pick for the Vikings has been making his rounds through the coaching ranks, and his latest stop has him making his way back to the NFL through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship Program. Udeze has been with FIU for the last two seasons, coaching their defense. Prior to that, he had stops at other schools such as Houston, LSU, Vanderbilt, and Washington. He was in the NFL before coaching the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings. Ironically, it was the same Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship that got him his first NFL spot with the Vikings after his playing career. He now finds his way back to the NFL, hopefully for good, through the program once again.
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles add former Vikings first-round pick to coaching staff for a training camp stint
Eagles add former Vikings first-round pick to coaching staff for a training camp stint They say big cities never sleep, and apparently, the NFL franchises that play in them don't either. A national holiday approaches, and the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles never seem to punch out of a workday. Heavy is the crown, it seems. After speaking a league-wide feud over their controversial play, one that is legal, mind you, Philly took on most of the National Football League and won during their day in court with only ten allies to back them. Did they take some time off? Absolutely not! They added a coach to the defensive staff. This one played in the NFL before and hopes to add further punch to a young and up-and-coming bunch that just throttled Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and that scary Kansas City Chiefs offense on football's grandest stage. Eagles hire a new defensive line coach, Kenechi Udeze. Here's a name that's fun to say and certainly worth committing to memory: Kenechi Udeze. Per Florida International's official account on X, he'll join the Eagles staff for training camp through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. Udeze becomes the FIU Panthers' third coach to join an NFL coaching staff by way of the program. The other two are Cronerbacks coach Anthony Gaitor (Jacksonville Jaguars) and offensive line coach Edwin Pata (Miami Dolphins). Udeze played four seasons of professional football, all with the Minnesota Vikings. 53 games and 47 starts produced 117 tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups. Those numbers include two playoff games. In 2013, Udeze previously completed the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship program with the Minnesota Vikings. In 2024, Udeze joined FIU as an outside linebackers assistant coach.
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jacksonville Jaguars announce 3 additions to coaching staff
Jacksonville Jaguars announce 3 additions to coaching staff The Jacksonville Jaguars announced three additions to their coaching staff. The Jacksonville Jaguars announced on Friday that they will make three additions to their coaching staff as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program. Ari Confesor, Anthony Gaitor, and Dawson Odums will be joining the Jaguars for offseason programs in the months of May and June. The Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program's objective is to "Use NFL clubs' training camps, offseason workout programs and minicamps to give talented coaches opportunities to observe, participate, gain experience, and ultimately gain a full-time NFL coaching position." Confesor has been the wide receivers coach at Wake Forest for the last two seasons. Under Confesor, Wake Forest wide receiver Taylor Morin has become the program's all-time leader in receiving yards and ranks in the top 10 in touchdowns and receptions as well. Gaitor is currently the cornerbacks coach at Florida International. Two of his players, Brian Blades and Hezekiah Masses, were very stingy in coverage last season. Blades allowed a completion rate of just 49% and 8.6 yards per catch, while Masses surrendered a completion rate just over 50% at 9.7 yards per catch. Odums, meanwhile, was most recently the head coach at Norfolk State, which competes at the FCS level. In 2021 under Odums, Norfolk State had its first winning season since 2007, and in 2023, six players earned All-MEAC honors.
