2009 JACKSONVILLE STATE FOOTBALL MEET THE COACHES
Maxwell Thurmond
Matt Wannebo
Assistant Coach Defensive Backs
Assistant Coach Outside Linebackers
Maxwell Thurmond Wife (former Gresha Johnson), Children: son Maxwell Sidney-George Thurmond, Jr. (13) and daughter, Asha Myel Thurmond (13) March 1, 1978 Worth County High School (1996) Jacksonville State University (2001)
Jacksonville State
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
COACHING EXPERIENCE 2001 2002-03 2004-05 2006-09
(1996-2000)
Jacksonville State (Student Assistant/Secondary) Jacksonville State (Outside Linebackers) Jacksonville State (Cornerbacks) Jacksonville State (Outside Linebackers)
Matt Wannebo Single May 14, 1959
EDUCATION High School: College:
Cooper High School (1977) Hamline University (1981)
Hamline University
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
COACHING EXPERIENCE
1982 1983-86 1986-88 1988-90 1990-92 1992-96 1996-98 2000-09
Cooper High School (Assistant Coach) Auburn University (Graduate Assistant) Minnesota (Graduate Assistant) Clemson University (Graduate Assistant) University of Arkansas (Graduate Assistant) University of Alabama (Operations) Auburn University (Operations/Secondary) Jacksonville State University (Defensive Backs)
OVC
High School: College:
PERSONAL
Full Name: Family: Born:
H IS T O RY
EDUCATION
Wannebo is a native of Minnesota and a 1977 graduate of Cooper High School. He is currently single.
RECOR DS
Full Name: Family: Born:
His coaching ventures have included some prominent Division I programs, including Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas and Minnesota. Prior to joining the Gamecocks in 2000, Wannebo coached the secondary at Auburn.
R E V IE W
PERSONAL
A former quarterback from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. (1977-81), Wannebo earned his degree in both education and exercise science then moved on to Auburn University, where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Motor Learning and Motor Development..
O P P O NE NT S
Thurmond, 30, holds a degree in Exercise Science. He is married to the former Gresha Johnson and he has a son, Maxwell Thurmond, Jr. (13) and a daughter, Asha Thurmond (13).
In 2004, the Gamecocks led the OVC in rushing defense and turnover margin, after recording 16 interceptions. They had 15 the year before, more than another other team in the OVC.
A BO U T J S U
Thurmond was a second-team All-Region performer at Worth County High School in Sylvester, Ga. He led the team to the region championship his senior year after posting an 8-3 record.
In 2006, the Gamecocks allowed just 17.5 points per game, 114.8 rushing yards and only 270.2 yards of total yards, which were all tops in the conference.
C OA C H ES
Thurmond, a former cornerback for the Gamecocks (1996-2000), recorded 63 tackles throughout his career. As a senior, Thurmond recorded 23 tackles and had an interception return for 40 yards to help the Gamecocks defeat Nicholls State.
Last season, JSU led the OVC in scoring defense for the thirdstraight year, allowing just 21.7 points per game. In 2007, the Gamecocks led the league in total defense (354.3 yards per game), rushing defense (145.5 yards per game) and scoring defense after allowing only 23.4 points per contest.
G AM ECO CK S
With Thurmond on board, the Gamecocks led the Ohio Valley Conference in rushing defense for two seasons, ranking 10th nationally in 2004 and 23rd nationally in 2003. JSU led the league in turnover margin for three-straight years and finished ninth in the country in 2003, eighth in 2004 and seventh during the 2005 season.
The Gamecocks have been the most dominating defense in the Ohio Valley Conference over the last three years with the help of the defensive backs.
O U T LO O K
The Gamecocks have been the most dominate defense in the Ohio Valley Conference over the last three years. Last season, JSU led the OVC in scoring defense for the third straight year, allowing just 21.7 points per game. In 2007, the Gamecocks led the league in total defense (354.3 yards per game), rushing defense (145.5 yards per game) and scoring defense after allowing only 23.4 points per contest.
One of the most experienced coaches on the staff, Matt Wannebo enters his tenth season leading the Gamecock defensive backs in the 2009 season.
INT RO
Max Thurmond begins his eighth season on the Gamecock coaching staff and his sixth with the outside linebackers. He also spent two years with the cornerbacks.
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