SENIOR | WIDE RECEIVER
GAME 8 | OCTOBER 25
CHATTANOOGA vs. SAMFORD
CALVIN JONES
PETE HANNA STADIUM
Broadcast and Social Media
SOCIAL MEDIA
Samford fans can keep up with the Bulldogs 24/7 through the following social media outlets: SamfordSports samfordsports samfordsportsnetwork samfordsports
INTERNET
The official website of Samford University athletics is samfordsports com A partnership of Samford athletics and SideArm Sports, the internet home of the Bulldogs, is full of the most up-to-date information on football and Samford’s 16 other varsity sports With news stories, coaches’ and studentathletes’ biographies, plus team rosters, statistics, schedules, game notes, results and video, the most comprehensive coverage of the Bulldogs can always be found online at samfordsports com
BROADCASTS
For the eighth-straight season, Samford’s home games will be broadcast live on ESPN platforms, either on ESPN3 or ESPN+ For the ESPN broadcasts, Blake Gardner will handle play-byplay duties Damian Mitchell will provide color commentary, while Christina Chambers and Molly Robinson will share sideline duties Both ESPN3 and ESPN+ can be accessed via the ESPN App across most internet-connected media devices or on ESPN com . ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, directto-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment in conjunction with ESPN It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC, Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby, cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films It is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans, and is also be available through ESPN com
Christina Chambers Sideline Reporter
Molly Robinson Sideline Reporter
Damian Mitchell Commentary
Blake Gardner Play-by-Play Announcer
Bulldogs Head Coach Chris Hatcher
Chris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec . 11, 2014 . Entering his 11th season at Samford in 2023, Hatcher boasts a career record of 182-107 in 25 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern and Valdosta State . Hatcher is Samford’s all-time winningest coach, with a record of 61-50 with the Bulldogs In his time at Samford, his team’s have consistently been among the Southern Conference and FCS leaders in several categories .
In 2024, Samford finished second in the Southern Conference in passing yards per game, averaging 244 .5 yards through the air . That season, Noah Martin, C J Douglas and Alex Applefield were all named to the All-SoCon teams . Additionally, Martin was named second team All-American by Stats Perform and he was named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in all of FCS football
The 2023 team produced seven All-SoCon honorees, including the SoCon Freshman of the Year in Brendan Jenkins Additionally, Noah Martin earned All-America honors .
During the 2022 season, Hatcher led the Bulldogs to the program’s best season in over 30 years . Samford posted a final record of 11-2 overall and a perfect 8-0 mark in Southern Conference play, winning the program’s first outright SoCon title . The team also reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991 Samford’s 10 regular season wins were tied for the most in program history, and the eight conference wins were the most ever for the program . The 11 total wins were the second most in Samford football history
Following the 2022 season, Hatcher was named the SoCon Coach of the Year, and he also earned Region 2 Coach of the Year honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) . In addition to Hatcher’s awards, quarterback Michael Hiers was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Year, the fifth time in Hatcher’s first eight seasons that the Samford quarterback earned the award
In the fall of 2021, Hatcher’s offense produced the FCS’ all-purpose yards leader in Montrell Washington (176 18 ypg ) Quarterback Liam Welch also put up impressive numbers, ranking seventh in the nation in passing yards per game (306 .0 ypg .) .
As a team last fall, the Bulldogs ranked 10th in the nation in total offense (448 .7 ypg .), ninth in passing offense (307 5 ypg ) and sixth in scoring offense (37 9 ppg .) .
Hatcher led his team in the first-ever spring season in the spring of 2021, after the 2020 fall season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . During the spring season, the Samford offense led the Southern Conference in scoring offense (40 .3 ppg .), total offense (513 .9 ypg .), passing offense (353 . 1 ypg .) and pass efficiency (148 1) On the other side of the ball, the Bulldog defense led the league in opponent thirddown conversions (31 0%) and turnovers caused (18)
Individually, Welch was named the SoCon’s Co-Offenive Player of the Year for the spring season . Welch and safety Chris Edmonds were both named All-Americans following the season .
In 2019, the Bulldogs led all of FCS football in punt return average (19 .41 ypr .), and the team ranked second nationally in fewest penalties per game (3 58) Samford also led the SoCon in first downs (22 .6 pg .), and the team ranked second in the league in scoring offense (32 2 ppg ) and passing offense (239 2 ypg )
Hatcher’s 2018 team posted the program’s eighth-straight winning season, the longest streak in program history . Also during the season, quarterback Devlin Hodges became the FCS’ all-time leader
in career passing yards Hodges also earned the highest individual honor at the FCS level, the highest individual honor at the FCS level, winning the Walter Payton Award Additionally, he was named the Southern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year for a third-straight season
Also in 2018, Hodges set school records for single-season completions (388), attempts (550), passing yards (4,283) Hodges was named the SoCon’s Offensive Player of the Year and a third team All-American at the conclusion of the season
In 2017, Hatcher led the team to an 8-4 record and a spot in the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for a second-straight season for the first time since 1992
As a unit, the 2016 Samford offense ranked third among all FCS schools in passing offense, averaging 349 4 passing yards per game The offense also ranked sixth in the nation in red zone offense (90 2%), 11th in team passing efficiency (155 24), 12th in scoring offense (35 . 1 ppg .) and 14th in total offense (446 .2 ypg .) .
In his first season at Samford in 2015, Hatcher put his stamp on the Bulldog program . Samford finished the season third in the nation in passing offense (332 .9 ypg .), seventh in the nation in total offense (479 .7 ypg .) and seventh in fourth down conversions (66 7%) Hatcher’s special teams also stood out, ranking fifth nationally in kickoff return average (24 34 ypr )
Hatcher led the Bulldogs to a 6-5 record that first season, ending the season with a pair of impressive Southern Conference road wins at Wofford and Mercer . The 2015 team also produced a pair of All-Americans in cornerback James Bradberry and place-kicker Anthony Pistelli .
Hatcher came to Samford after serving as the head coach at Murray State University from 2010 to 2014 . Hatcher is no stranger to the Southern Conference, as he served as the head coach at Georgia Southern from 2007 to 2009
Prior to his time at GSU, Hatcher molded Valdosta State into one of the most dominant teams in Division II .
The winningest coach in Blazers’ history, Hatcher was 76-12 at his alma mater Hatcher led
his alma mater to its first NCAA Division II national championship in 2004, and he coaches Dusty Bonner, who was a two-time Harlan Hill Award winner, an award Hatcher won as a quarterback at VSU in 1994
Hatcher carried his success on the playing field to help him develop into one of the nation’s winningest coaches A two-time All-American quarterback at VSU (1993 and 1994), Hatcher threw for 11,363 yards and 121 touchdowns during his stellar career . During his senior year in 1994, he led the Blazers to their first postseason berth, advancing to the quarterfinals, and when it was all said and done set 29 VSU passing and total offense records .
Hatcher finished his senior year by winning several national honors including: the NCAA Top Eight Award, the CoSIDA Academic All-America National Player of the Year and a postgraduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame .
The honors continued to add up even after his playing days . Hatcher was named to the Valdosta State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001, in his first year of eligibility . He was also elected into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame the same year .
In 2005, Hatcher was inducted into the Division II Hall of Fame . Hatcher was also inducted into the inaugural class of the GSC Hall of Fame in 2014
Hatcher graduated from Valdosta State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education
He and his wife, Lori, also a graduate of VSU, are the parents of a son, Ty, and daughter, Talley .
Stronger Team. Bolder Plays.
Head Coach/ Offensive Line
Football Staff
Assistant Head Coach—Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Special Teams Coordinator/ Recruiting Coordinator
Ricky Turner
Scott Sloan Defensive Coordinator
Blake Catlett Defensive Ends
Thomas Morton Quarterbacks
Peter Renkoski Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line
Chasmon Scales Cornerbacks
Tyler Zielenske
K.D. Humphries Running Backs
Shawn Bostick Associate
Cal King Linebackers
Darien Moody Defensive Line
Support Staff
Alex Miller Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Ryan Logan Offensive Analyst
Caysey Colant Chief of Staff
James Carlson Assistant AD for Facilities, Game Operations and Equipment
Wes Bordelon Director of Football Strength and Conditioning
Whitley Williams Head Football Athletic Trainer
Sean Greeley Strength and Conditioning Graduate Assistant
Christian Long Defensive Analyst
Rocky Sabbatini Football Video Coordinator
Reid Dedman Defensive Analyst
Reagan Davenport Offensive Analyst
Hudson Macdonald Defensive Analyst
Elevate your career with a graduate degree from Samford University’s Brock School of Business.
Master of Accountancy
Master of Business Administration
Application Deadlines: Spring: Dec. 1 • Summer: May 1 • Fall: July 1
Entry exam waived for applicants with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.
GO Bulldogs
All-Americans and National Honors
All-Americans
All-Americans/Freshman All-Americans
Austin Barnard 2017, Punter (3rd Team, AP, Phil Steele)
Fred Bishop 1999, Linebacker
Bobby Bowden 1952, Quarterback
James Bradberry 2015, Cornerback (3rd Team, STATS)
Wally Burnham 1963, Linebacker
Trimarcus Cheeks 2019, Linebacker (Freshman All-American)
Norman Cooper 1936, Center
Marcus Durgin 1991, Cornerback (2nd Team, Sports Network; 3rd Team, AP) 1992, Cornerback (3rd Team, AP)
Chris Edmonds 2021 Spring, (1st Team, Stats Perform, Associated Press, Athlon Sports, HERO Sports)
Surkano Edwards 1992, Running Back (HM, Sports Network)
Cortland Finnegan 2002, Safety 2003, Safety (3rd Team) 2005, Safety (AFCA)
Jimbo Fisher 1987, Quarterback
Sam Goldman 1940, End
Ahmad Gooden 2017, Defensive Lineman (1st Team, AFCA, Phil Steele, Walter Camp; 2nd Team, AP, STATS) 2018, Defensive Lineman (1st Team, AP, HERO Sports; 2nd Team, STATS)
Karel Hamilton 2016, Wide Receiver (1st Team)
Tim Hamrick 1987, Punter
Michael Hiers 2022, Quarterback (2nd Team, STATS Perform, 3rd Team AP)
Efrem Hill 2003, Wide Receiver 2004, Wide Receiver
Harold Hill 1937, End
Devlin Hodges 2016, Quarterback (3rd Team) 2017, Quarterback (2nd Team, AFCA) 2018, Quarterback (1st Team, Consensus)
Scott Holmes 1994, Punter
Harley Hopkins 1938, End
Bobby Jackson 1962, Quarterback
Anthony Jordan 1994, Running Back
Nelson Jordan 2018, Defensive Lineman (Freshman All-American)
Jim Lovette 1966, Running Back
Noah Martin 2023, Linbacker (2md Team, FCS Football Central; 3rd Team, AP)
Kelvin McKnight 2017, Wide Receiver (2nd Team, AFCA; 3rd Team, STATS; 4th Team, Phil Steele)
2018, Wide Receiver (1st Team, Walter Camp, HERO Sports, AFCA; 2nd Team, AP; 3rd Team, STATS)
Joe Milazzo 1960, Quarterback
Anthony Pistelli 2015, Kicker (1st Team, AP, Walter Camp)
David Primus 1989, Kick Returner
Shaheed Salmon 2017, Linebacker (3rd Team, STATS; 4th Team, Phil Steele)
Justin Shade 2013, Linebacker (1st Team)
Bryce Smith 2010, Linebacker
Bennie Story 1961, Defensive Tackle
James Tarrant 1940, End (Honorable Mention) 1941, End (3rd Team)
Jaquiski Tartt 2012, Safety (1st Team) 2013, Safety (2nd Team) 2014, Safety (1st Team)
Fabian Truss 2012, Kick Returner (2nd Team) 2013, All-Purpose (1st Team)
Michael Vice 2019, Tight End (Freshman All-American)
Montrell Washington 2019, Return Specialist (1st Team: STATS, 2nd Team: HERO and Phil Steele) 2021 Fall, All-Purpose (1st Team, Consensus)
Liam Welch 2021 Spring, Quarterback (2nd Team, Stats Perform)
Mike Williams 2017, Offensive Lineman (Freshman All-American)
Other National Honors
Jefferson Adcock 2007, NFF National Honor Society 2007, FCS Academic All-Star
Joe Collins 2011, Capital One Academic All-District
Devlin Hodges 2018 Walter Payton Award 2018 FCSADA Offensive Player of the Year
2018 Columbus TD Club Offensive Player of the Year
Graham Lemmond 2006, NFF National Honor Society 2006, FCS Academic All-Star
Ty Levie 2009, FCS Academic All-Star 2009, ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District
Michael O’Neal 1991, CoSIDA Academic All-American (2nd Team)
Where Passion Meets Purpose
Samford is a leading nationally ranked Christian university, renowned for excellence, robust in opportunities, intentional in fostering connection and committed to cultivating students’ foundational faith. Across our 10 academic schools, students are prepared to powerfully pursue the calling God has on their lives.
samford.edu/go/purpose Samford. Where passion meets purpose.
TODAY’S GAME
The Samford football team will return home to play host to the Chattanooga Mocs Saturday at 2:30 p .m . at Pete Hanna Stadium . Samford enters the game with a record of 1-6 overall and 1-4 in Southern Conference play after a 24-22 Southern Conference road win at VMI last weekend . Chattanooga has a mark of 3-4 overall and 2-1 in Southern Conference play . Last week, Chattanooga earned a 42-38 win over ETSU . The game can be seen live on ESPN+ . Blake Gardner will handle play-by-play duties, while Damian Mitchell will serve as color analyst and Christina Chambers will handle sideline reporting duties .
The Series
Samford and Chattanooga are meeting for the 50th time, with Chattanooga holding a 34-12-3 lead . Last season, the teams played at Chattanooga, with Samford earning a 36-13 win . The series dates back to 1906 when Chattanooga was known as Grant University and Samford was known as Howard College Samford won that first meeting, 63-0 at West End Park in Birmingham The teams have been co-members of the Southern Conference since Samford joined the league in 2008
The Last Time Out
Last week, Samford earned its first win of the season in a dramatic 24-22 win at VMI Freshman kicker Jake Garner kicked a 37-yard field goal to give the Bulldogs the winning 24-22 lead with 1:28
to go . For Samford in the game, freshman quarterback Brady Stober completed 34-of-43 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns . Preston Bird led all Samford receivers with nine catches for 116 yards and a touchdown . Calvin Jones caught nine passes for 55 yards and a touchdown . Stober also led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 45 yards . The Samford defense was led by Jaden Mosley with 12 tackles . Malik Thornton had eight tackles, followed by Carson Sloan with seven tackles .
Mosley Named Winner Of Charles Williams Memorial Jersey
Senior linebacker Jaden Mosley is this season’s winner of the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey . The jersey honors former Samford player Charles Williams, who died in a car accident on May 23, 2003 . Since the 2005 season, a different senior has worn the No . 5 jersey in Williams’ honor . Mosley is the 21st winner of the prestigious award .
Samford Against Southern Conference Teams
Since joining the Southern Conference in 2008, Samford has posted a record of 75-64 in conference games All-time against the current members of the SoCon, Samford has a mark of 101-92-4, including a 12-34-3 record against Chattanooga Samford’s all-time record against each current SoCon team is Chattanooga (12-34-3), The Citadel (10-9), ETSU (8-4), Furman (12-15), Mercer (16-15-1), VMI (10-3), Western Carolina (17-6) and Wofford (16-6)
Samford At Pete Hanna Stadium
Samford has an all-time record of 185-92-4 in games played at Pete Hanna Stadium This season, Samford has five home games on its schedule, and the Bulldogs are currently 0-3 in those contests . Last season, Samford posted a record of 3-3 in home games . In 10 seasons under head coach Chris Hatcher, Samford has a record of 38-19 when playing at home .
Around the SoCon
CHATTANOOGA
(3-4, 2-1 SoCon)
Last week: vs. ETSU, W, 42-38
This week: at Samford
THE CITADEL
(3-4, 2-2 SoCon)
Last week: vs. Western Carolina, L, 38-45
This week: at Furman
ETSU
(3-5, 1-3 SoCon)
Last week: at Chattanooga, L, 38-42
This week: vs. Wofford
FURMAN
(4-3, 2-2 SoCon)
Last week: at Wofford, L, 13-31
This week: vs. The Citadel
MERCER
(5-1, 4-0 SoCon)
Last week: OFF
This week: vs. VMI
SAMFORD
(1-6, 1-4 SoCon)
Last week: at VMI, W, 24-22
This week: vs. Chattanooga
VMI
(1-6, 0-3 SoCon)
Last week: vs. Samford, L, 22-24
This week: at Mercer
WESTERN CAROLINA
(5-3, 4-0 SoCon)
Last week: at The Citadel, W, 45-38
This week: OFF
WOFFORD (2-5, 1-2 SoCon)
Last week: vs. Furman, W, 31-13
This week: at ETSU
FOOTBALL
DATE
2025 SAMFORD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE/RESULTS
OPPONENT
TIME
Aug. 28 West Georgia L, 3-34
Sept. 6 The Citadel* L, 13-40
Sept. 13 at Baylor L, 7-42
Sept. 20 at Western Carolina* L, 35-50
Sept. 27 Furman* L, 13-31
Oct. 4 at #25 Mercer* L, 21-45
Oct. 18 at VMI* W, 24-22
Oct. 25 Chattanooga* 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 1 at Wofford* 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 ETSU* 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 15 at Austin Peay 1 p.m.
Nov. 22 at Texas A&M 11 a.m.
*-Southern Conference game
All times Central and subject to change
Samford Football Player Feature Calvin Jones
Samford senior wide receiver Calvin Jones did not take the usual route to come to Samford, but he wound up at the school for his final season as a college football player and he is glad that he did .
Like a lot of young athletes, Jones started playing the game of football at a young age, wanting to be like his heroes .
“I started playing football when I was eight years old,” Jones said . “I grew up watching Steve Smith, because I’m from Charlotte . So, I’m a Panther fan and I grew up watching Steve Smith and Jake Delong and John Fox was the head coach, so those guys are who influenced me to play ”
Jones went on to be a standout player at East Rutherford High School in the Charlotte, N C , area While growing up, he played several positions, including defensive line, receiver and quarterback But in high school, he was more of a running back
In four high school seasons, he rushed for 2,437 career yards and 30 touchdowns while also hauling in 71 passes for 1,428 career receiving yards He finished his prep career
By Joey Mullins Samford Athletics
with 5,320 all-purpose yards . He was listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals .com .
But football was not always his top choice of sport . He also wrestled and ran track, and he said wrestling held a special place in his heart .
“I was a wrestler,” Jones said . “I went to state two times in my four years of high school . I also ran track in the spring, but wrestling was where my heart was . It was my favorite sport back then . ”
But football was the sport Jones had a chance to play in college . When deciding where to go to college, Jones decided to stay in his home state of North Carolina by playing at one of Samford’s Southern Conference opponents, Western Carolina
He went to Western Carolina as a running back but transitioned to a wide receiver in his sophomore season He said it was a tough transition, especially doing it at the collegiate level
“Man, it was tough,” Jones said of making the transition “Because there are so many details to being a good receiver I kind of had to study the game and pick up so many little
details that I wasn’t used to having to perform in the game . So, it was a challenge, but I think I picked it up pretty well . ”
Jones played four seasons at Western Carolina . In that time, he caught 111 passes for 1,445 yards and seven touchdowns His best season came in 2021 when he hauled in 38 passes for 650 yards and four touchdowns He also rushed six times for 46 yards
Jones talked about memories he has of playing against Samford, the team he now plays for
“I have so many,” Jones said “I played against Montrell Washington my true freshman year, here actually And just watching him play was just crazy I actually tackled him on a punt, which was one of my few tackles on special teams my freshman year I got to tackle Montrell Washington, so that’s one of my biggest memories ”
Jones’ best game against Samford came in that freshman season in the spring season of 2021 . In that contest, he caught five passes for 49 yards and a touchdown in a game Samford won by a score of 55-27 . In the fall season of 2021, he caught one pass for a 52yard touchdown in a game Samford won in a shootout, 42-37 .
After a successful four-year career at Western Carolina, Jones had received his degree from the school, but he still had one season of eligibility remaining . He talked about what attracted him to Samford when he was looking for a school for his final collegiate season .
“I think it was the team,” Jones said . “Because I knew that this place was different, it was a lot more disciplined . But also, the team, it was a very close-knit team . I talked to Quincy (Crittendon) a little bit before I transferred in, and just how he talked about how the guys really rallied around each other . I was kind of looking for that brotherhood again ”
Jones has made a major impact on the Samford offense during the first seven games of the season Entering Saturday’s home game against Chattanooga, Jones ranks third on the team with 32 receptions for 321 yards and four
touchdowns . His best game of the season, to date, was actually in his return trip to Western Carolina in the team’s fourth game of the season . In that game, he caught seven passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns He talked about how it felt to go back to Western Carolina as an opponent
“It felt weird, you know, dedicating so much blood, sweat and tears to a program for so long over the years,” Jones said “It felt kind of weird to go out and play against them But I felt like I wouldn’t want to do it with any other team but the Samford Bulldogs I had my boys behind my back, and we fought to the end ”
Jones has had several other big games so far this season He had six catches for 60 yards at Baylor He caught seven passes for 58 yards against Furman, and he hauled in nine passes for 55 yards and a touchdown in the team’s 24-22 win at VMI last weekend .
Jones still has five games remaining in his collegiate football career . He and his fellow seniors hope to make the most of the time they have left as Bulldogs .
Jones hopes to continue playing football at the professional level following his time at Samford . But, if that does not work out, he has definite plans for what he wants to do for a career beyond the game of football . Jones plans to go to graduate school to prepare for his professional post-football career .
“I was thinking PT (physical therapy),” Jones said . “That’s where my heart is . If professional football is not an option, I was either going to go to PT school or be a fighter pilot . Those were my two after football decisions . ”
Jones has made a positive impact on two different Southern Conference programs in his time as a collegiate football player . In his five remaining games at Samford, he hoped to end his collegiate playing days on a positive note .
2025 SAMFORD FOOTBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER
Ala ./Helena HS
19 Trey Lenhardt S 6-1 195 Fr Bogart, Ga /Appalachian State
20 Termaine Turner Jr CB 5-9 182 So Lakeland, Fla /North Dakota State
21 Malik Thornton CB 6-0 165 Sr Eatonton, Ga /Univ of the Cumberlands
21 Ethan Fisher K 5-7 135 Fr Tallahassee, Fla /North Florida Christian HS
22 Ken Cherry RB 5-11 190 So . Huntsville, Ala ./Madison Academy
22 Mason Bryant DB 5-9 185 Fr Nashville, Tenn /Father Ryan HS
23 Tucker Weber CB 5-10 175 Fr Brentwood Tenn /Brentwood HS
23 David Theado TE 6-3 221 Fr Tampa, Fla /Tampa Catholic HS
24 Brody Tolbert DB 6-1 180 Fr Bogart, Ga /Prince Avenue Christian
25 Jadon Loving WR 5-10 160 Fr Trussville, Ala /Hewitt-Trussville HS
25 William Pruitt S 6-2 185 Fr Atlanta, Ga /Marist School
26 Colton Pace WR 5-9 183 Fr Brentwood, Tenn /Ravenwood HS
26 Jake Garner K 6-0 195 Fr Pelham, Ala /Pelham HS
27 Gumbo Gaskins CB 6-1 190 Jr . Jonesboro, Ga ./Vanderbilt
28 Grant Hidalgo TE 6-5 243 Jr Orlando, Fla /Auburn University
29 Cam Bland RB 5-11 178 Fr Suwanee, Ga /Lambert HS
30 Carson Sloan
30 Cooper Greer
6-2 220 Fr Blackshear, Ga /Pierce County HS
6-1 190 Fr Rainbow City, Ala /Westbrook Christian HS 31 Maddox McKim LB 6-4 210 Fr Brentwood, Tenn ./Brentwood HS 32 Noah Jones P 6-0 180 Gr Whigham, Ga /Georgia 33 Teddy Davenport
5-10 175 Sr Alpharetta, Ga /UAB 34 Mailk Gaither
6-2 230 Gr Stockbridge, Ga /Alcorn State 34 Logan Abbott WR 5-7 165 Fr Columbia, Tenn ./Zion Christian Academy 35 Deuce Caldwell II DE 6-0 270 Sr Mauldin, S .C ./North Carolina 36 Ty Ippolito K 5-10 180 So Windermere, Fla /South Florida
/Chelsea
6-1 215 Jr . Cumming, Ga ./South Forsyth HS 39 Ryan Skinner
Jordan Whitley
Jake Haynes
6-1 200 So Cullman, Ala /The Citadel
6-2 215 Fr Spring, Tex/Legacy Sch of Sports Sciences
6-2 225 Fr Hartselle, Ala /Hartselle HS
2025 FOOTBALL
42 Caulen Dunn LB 6-0 225 Jr Olive Branch, Miss ./N .W Miss . CC
42 Quinten Hall WR 6-4 175 So Gallatin, Tenn ./Station Camp HS
44 Corey Warren DT 6-0 257 Jr Hoover, Ala /Georgia State
44 Carter Pace RB 5-8 185 Fr Brentwood, Tenn /Ravenwood HS
45 Cannon Pigg TE 6-4 235 Fr Florence, Ala /Mars Hill Bible School
46 Andrew Jordan DE 6-3 235 Jr Concord, N .C ./Golden West College
47 Daniel Valdes WR 6-2 160 Fr Franklin, Tenn /Franklin Christian Academy
48 Jacob Johnson LB 6-2 230 So Covington, La /Southern Mississippi
49 Vance Nicklaus TE 6-5 240 Sr Duluth, Ga /Florida State
51 Jacob Gettman K 6-0 160 Fr Daytona Beach, Fla /Mainland HS
52 Wesley Graham OL 6-3 300 Fr . Smiths Station, Ala ./Glenwood HS
53 Kaden McKeown LS 6-0 195 Fr Mableton, Ga /Whitefield Academy
54 Ben Darnell OL 6-4 310 Fr Chattanooga, Tenn /The Baylor School
55 Isaac Chapa LB 6-1 225 Fr Shelbyville, Tenn /Cascade HS
56 Aidan Barr LS 6-0 205 Jr W Palm Beach, Fla /Cardinal Newman HS
57 Web Davidson OL 6-6 310 Fr . Macon, Ga /Virginia Tech
58 Wil Turner IV OL 6-3 295 Fr Gainesville, Ga /Gainesville HS
59 Will Thorley P 6-3 215 Jr Torquay, Australia/Prokick Australia
60 Hank Weber DT 6-3 263 So Franklin, Tenn /Wisconsin
61 Alex Applefield LS 5-10 208 Gr . Dothan, Ala ./Houston Academy
62 Parker Peacock OL 6-4 290 Fr Dover, Fla /Lakeland Christian School
64 Noah Watts OL 6-1 295 Jr Alabaster, Ala /Thompson HS
65 Kaleb May OL 6-4 270 So McCalla, Ala /Kennesaw State
67 Nate Carter DL 6-1 265 Fr Cleveland, Tenn /Cleveland HS
68 Asher Harrelson OL 6-5 275 Fr . LaGrange, Ga /Troup County HS
69 Russell Watts DL 6-2 229 Fr Lake Wales, Fla /Lake Wales HS
70 Crosby Mullins OL 6-4 305 Jr Mendenhall, Miss /Miss Gulf Coast CC
71 Carson Donovan OL 6-2 295 Fr Calera, Ala /Evangel Christian
72 Joshua Lovett OL 6-0 270 Jr Knoxville, Tenn /Birmingham-Southern
73 Justin Perritt OL 6-2 285 Sr . Covington, La ./Northlake Christian School
74 Tyler Douthit OL 6-4 280 So Woodstock, Ga /Woodstock HS
75 Charlie Rickell OL 6-4 252 Jr Dunwoody, Ga /Birmingham-Southern
76 Michael Snow OL 6-5 295 Fr Pell City, Ala /Pell City HS
77 Kaleb Pearley OL 6-5 304 So New Orleans, La ./S .E Missouri State
78 Duncan Johnson III OL 6-5 275 So Augusta, Ga /Aquinas HS
84 Sam Pickett III WR 6-0 180 Fr Jasper, Tenn /Marion County HS
85 Nicholas Bookman WR 5-9 160 Fr Suwanee, Ga /North Gwinnett HS
86 Nick Crayton WR 6-3 215 Fr Decatur, Ala /Austin HS
87 Brice Whitley WR 5-10 180 Fr . Macon, Ga /Acad For Classical Education
88 Donovan Grayson DE 6-3 240 So Stafford, Va /West Virginia
90 Conroy Cunningham II DE 6-3 260 Gr Melbourne, Fla /Bethune-Cookman
91 Romello Cooper DL 6-3 215 Fr Chelsea, Ala /Chelsea HS
92 Kelton Crisp DL 6-2 225 Fr Gallatin, Tenn /Station Camp HS
93 J .D . Methvin DL 6-5 255 Jr Starkville, Miss ./Itawamba CC
94 Joseph Shannon DL 6-2 226 Jr Kankakee, Ill /Iowa Central CC
95 Maxton Woodward DL 6-2 336 Sr Philadelphia, Miss /Holmes CC
97 Jackson Bussey DL 6-3 240 Fr Norcross, Ga /Appalachian State
99 Tyler Durant DL 6-3 270 Fr . Daphne, Ala /Daphne HS
NAME
2025 CHATTANOOGA FOOTBALL ROSTER
0 Khari Gee DB 6-2 200 Jr Atlanta, Ga /Woodward/Georgia Tech
0 Ryan Ingram RB 5-10 225 Sr Stone Mountain, Ga /Stephenson/Wofford
2 Justus Durant RB 5-9 179 Sr Palm Bay, Fla /Bayside/Shorter
2 Kristian Ozane LB 5-11 223 Jr Westlake, La /Westlake/Davidson
3 Martez Cooksey, Jr DB 5-9 186 So Antioch, Tenn /Ensworth
3 Taylor Crumedy WR 5-10 163 Fr Cortelyou, Ala /Leroy
4 A J Little WR 5-11 191 So Macon, Miss Noxubee Co
4 AJ Wallace DB 6-2 183 Fr South Pittsburg, Tenn /South Pittsburg/Arkansas State
5 Jamarr Jones DT 6-0 257 Jr . Hendersonville, Tenn /Pope John Paul II
5 Josh Williams WR 6-0 192 So Anderson, S C /Westside
6 Markell Quick WR 5-10 162 Jr . Cornelius, N .C ./Hough/N .C . Central
6 Taylor Smallwood DB 6-0 207 Jr Lawrenceville, Ga /North Gwinnett/Lafayette
7 Keyshawn Jackson DB 6-3 189 So . Charlotte, N .C ./Harding/East Carolina
7 John McIntyre TE 6-3 241 So Athens, Ala Athens
8 Amanuel Dickson LB 5-10 215 So . Greeneville, Tenn /Greeneville
8 Jamarii Robinson WR 6-2 179 Sr Randolph, Mass /Randolph/No Colorado
9 Marquise Freeman DE 6-3 216 Sr . Cocoa, Fla ./Cocoa/Washington St .
10 Orlando Daniels DE 6-5 239 Jr Canton, Mich /Plymouth/Albion
10 Journey Wyche RB 5-10 193 So . Louisville, Ky /Ballard
11 Camden Orth QB 6-3 218 Sr Gainesville, Fla /Buchholz/Bowling Green
12 Matthew Clemmer QB 6-4 222 So . Maryville, Tenn ./Maryville
13 Nick Coates DB 5-9 189 Sr Louisville, Ky /Male/Eastern Illinois
13 Hudson Gray WR 5-11 179 Fr . Dalton, Ga /NW Whitfield
14 Josh Jones DB 5-9 209 Sr Smyrna, Tenn /Smyrna
15 Hunter Campbell QB 6-1 177 Fr Roswell, Ga /Centennial
15 Jordan J Davis DB 6-2 197 Fr Columbia, Tenn /Columbia Central/Ball State
16 Battle Alberson QB 6-2 204 Fr Gulf Breeze, Fla /Gulf Breeze
16 Heath Jehu P 6-1 176 So Birmingham, Ala /John Carroll Catholic/Kentucky
17 Luke Schomburg QB 6-3 194 Jr Huntsville, Ala /Sparkman
18 TJ McElmurray WR 6-3 184 So Graniteville, S C /Midland Valley/Iowa Central CC
19 Jeremiah Batiste DB 5-11 179 Sr Chattanooga, Tenn /Tyner/Miami (Ohio)
20 Solomon Locke RB 5-10 190 Jr Dalton, Ga /Christian Heritage
22 Kaelin Drakeford DB 6-3 201 Sr Harrodsburg, Ky /Mercer Co /Eastern Illinois
23 Kam Baah-Slay DB 6-3 197 Jr Nashville, Tenn /Father Ryan
24 KJ Sejour DB 5-9 156 Fr Hollywood, Fla /Chaminade Madonna
24 TJ Worthy RB 5-10 198 Fr Gadsden, Ala Gadsden City
25 Malachi Jeffries RB 5-11 215 So Cartersville, Ga /Cartersville
25 Austin Kent DB 6-0 180 Fr . Nashville, Tenn ./East Nashville Magnet
26 Jonathan Hunter-Horton LB 6-1 215 Sr Ashburn, Va /Broad Run/VMI
27 D .J . Adams DB 6-0 168 Jr . Cleveland, Tenn /Cleveland
28 Erik Bussmann WR 5-10 175 Fr Southlake, Texas/Carroll
29 Jaden Nelson DB 5-11 194 Fr . Tifton, Ga ./Tift County
30 Jonathan Harris, Jr DB 5-10 186 Jr Indianapolis, Ind /Park Tudor/Taylor
31 Anton Ricumstrict DE 6-5 231 Sr . Mt Pleasant, Mich ./Mt . Pleasant Sr ./Delaware State
32 Tre’von Dangerfield DB 6-0 187 Jr Pulaski, Tenn /Giles County/Cumberland
33 Jestin Gilmore DE 6-2 223 Jr . Tuscaloosa, Ala ./Tuscaloosa
34 Hudson Powell WR 5-9 182 Fr Chattanooga, Tenn /McCallie
34 Kamari Todd DB 6-1 170 Fr . Gardendale, Ala ./Gardendale
35 Taylor Lawrence DB 6-2 162 Fr Franklin, Tenn /Independence
36 Travarius Flood DB 6-0 189 Fr . Greenbrier, Tenn ./Greenbrier/Bethel
39 Jarian Dunlap, Jr DB 6-3 194 Sr LaVergne, Tenn /Stewart’s Creek/St Ambrose
40 Jordyn Dickerson DE 6-2 230 So . Salisbury, Md . Wicomico/West Liberty
41 Landon Feggins LB 6-0 226 Fr Athens, Tenn /McMinn County
2025 FOOTBALL
42 Zion Rutledge LB 5-11 231 Jr . Powder Springs, Ga /Hillgrove
44 Grant Reid LS 6-0 226 Sr Jackson, Tenn Baylor/Tennessee
45 Drake Luckie LB 6-0 216 Fr . Marietta, Ga /Walton
46 Karl Odrick DE 6-2 220 Jr New Orleans, La /Karr/Gardner-Webb
47 Gavin Helton LB 5-11 222 Fr . Memphis, Tenn ./University School
48 Brody Gann LS 5-10 202 Jr Ringgold, Ga /Ringgold
49 Gunnar Clary LB 6-1 204 Fr . Eaton, Colo ./Beech
50 Devin Lively OL 6-2 296 So Lebanon, Tenn /Air Force Prep
51 Noah Livingston DE 6-2 234 Sr Long Island City, N Y /Buford (Ga )/Virginia Union
53 B J Ragland OL 6-1 286 Sr Chattanooga, Tenn /Red Bank/Charlotte
54 CJ Smith DT 6-1 251 Fr Knoxville, Tenn /Knox West
55 Ky Tayo DT 6-0 287 Jr Columbia, S C /Spring Valley/Ga Southern
56 Nick Paul OL 6-2 303 So Decatur, Ga /Clarke Central
57 Jermaine Stinson DE 6-0 212 Fr Chattanooga, Tenn /Chattanooga Christian/Army Prep
58 Christian Va’a OL 6-0 304 Sr Pago Pago, Am Samoa/Faga’itua/East L A College
59 Gabe Flores DT 6-1 265 Fr Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota West
60 J J Heath LS 6-3 237 Fr Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin
61 Peter Sesterhenn P 5-11 180 So Signal Mountain, Tenn /Signal Mountain
62 Tracy Jackson OL 6-1 311 Fr Chicago, Ill /Memphis Whitehaven
64 Ryan Merklinger OL 6-4 319 Sr Savannah, Ga Calvary Day/Western Illinois
65 Therion Cannon OL 6-2 268 Sr Ridgeland, S C /Heyward/Western Carolina
66 Watts Alexander OL 6-4 296 Fr . Mountain Brook, Ala /Mountain Brook
67 Tyrell Ragland OL 6-2 318 Sr Knoxville, Tenn /West/Carson-Newman
68 K’Erius Cockrum OL 6-3 306 Fr . Alabaster, Ala ./Thompson
69 Aidan Donald OL 6-3 262 So Lebanon, Tenn /Lebanon
70 Joseph Kallies OL 6-0 312 So . Milwaukee, Wisc /Lutheran/Iowa Central CC
71 Connor Coffman OL 6-4 281 Fr College Grove, Tenn /Page
72 Johnny Davis OL 6-2 282 Fr . Hixson, Tenn ./Soddy Daisy
73 Malik Watts OL 6-4 302 Fr Pell City, Ala /Pell City
75 Will Brown OL 6-0 269 So . Memphis, Tenn ./Lausanne
76 Daz Galloway OL 6-1 312 Jr Madison Miss /Central/ULM
77 Jules Ney OL 6-2 296 Fr . Wiesbaden, Germany/Rabun Gap
78 Will Buchanan OL 6-6 328 Sr Asheville, N C Christ/Liberty
80 Jaden George WR 6-0 177 Fr . Marietta, Ga /Kell
80 Gray Kelley K 6-0 205 Fr Acworth, Ga /Allatoona
81 Brohns Donaldson WR 5-9 184 So . Chattanooga, Tenn /Boyd-Buchanan/Kentucky Wesleyan
82 KaJuan Harris WR 6-2 185 Fr Goodlettsville, Tenn /Beech
83 Lance Rowland WR 6-2 189 So Jackson, Tenn /Jackson Christian
84 Daniel Green TE 6-5 255 Fr Jackson, Tenn /Jackson Christian
85 Nath Eberly-Rodriguez TE 6-5 242 Sr Petoskey, Mich /Petoskey/Wayne State
86 Bryce Robinson WR 5-8 150 Fr Collierville, Tenn /Collierville
87 Landon Strickland TE 6-3 217 Fr Arab, Ala /Arab
88 TJ Briggs TE 6-6 240 Fr Nashville, Tenn /Lipscomb Acad
89 Hunter Teal TE 6-0 250 Fr Marietta, Ga Walton/Miami (OH)
90 Isaiah Harvey DT 6-0 251 Fr Warner Robins, Ga /Northside
91 Montrell Henderson DT 6-2 294 Jr Riverdale, Ga /Charles Drew
92 Jude Kelley K 6-1 182 Sr Acworth, Ga /Allatoona/Georgia Tech
93 Mekhi Bell DT 6-4 288 Fr Spring Hill, Tenn /Summit
94 Myles Mays DT 6-2 280 Fr Calhoun, Ga /Marion County
95 Kasey Bonds DT 5-9 277 So Bolivar, Tenn /Bolivar Central
96 Andrew Wynn DE 6-4 216 Fr Savannah, Ga /Savannah Country Day
97 Xavier Parker DE 6-2 225 Fr Cartersville, Ga /Cartersville
2025 SAMFORD FOOTBALL DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
QB 2 QUINCY CRITTENDON (5-11, 200, Sr )
15 Brady Stober (6-0, 185, Fr )
RB 22 KEN CHERRY (5-11, 202, So .)
29 Cam Bland (5-11, 178, Fr )
Z 13 CALVIN JONES (5-10, 185, Sr )
18 Torrey Ward (6-3, 190, Fr .)
Y 4 PRESTON BIRD (5-10, 170, So )
85 Nicholas Bookman (5-9, 160, Fr )
H 33 TEDDY DAVENPORT (5-10, 175, Sr .)
86 Nick Crayton (6-3, 215, Fr )
X 84 SAM PICKETT III (6-0, 180, Fr )
7 Jaden Gibson (6-0, 179, So .)
TE 96 BEN DARNELL (6-4, 310, Fr )
31 Maddox McKim (6-4, 225, Fr )
LT 65 KALEB MAY (6-4, 270, So )
76 Michael Snow (6-5, 295, Fr .)
LG 74 TYLER DOUTHIT (6-4, 280, So )
52 Wesley Graham (6-3, 300, Fr )
C 64 NOAH WATTS (6-1, 295, Jr .)
58 Wil Turner IV (6-3, 295, Fr )
RG 77 KALEB PEARLEY (6-5, 304, So )
70 Justin Perritt (6-2, 300, Sr .)
RT 78 DUNCAN JOHNSON (6-5, 275, So )
57 Web Davidson (6-6, 310, Fr )
DEFENSE
DE 94 JOSEPH SHANNON (6-2, 226, Jr .)
44 Corey Warren (6-0, 257, Jr )
NOSE 95 MAXTON WOODWARD (6-2, 336, Sr )
60 HANK WEBER (6-3, 263, So .)
DE 90 CONROY CUNNINGHAM II (6-3, 260 , Gr )
35 Deuce Caldwell (6-0, 270, Sr )
DOG 88 DONOVAN GRAYSON (6-3, 240, So )
92 Kelton Crisp (6-2, 225, Fr )
WILL 30 CARSON SLOAN (6-2, 220, Fr )
48 Jacob Johnson (6-2, 230, So )
MIKE 5 JADEN MOSLEY (6-2, 230, Sr )
34 Malik Gaither (6-2, 230, Gr )
STAR 27 GUMBO GASKINS (6-1, 190, Jr )
14 KeShawn Washington (6-2, 200, Gr )
CB 21 MALIK THORNTON (6-0, 165, Sr )
16 Dylon Henderson (5-10, 175, Fr .)
CB 3 NAHIL PERKINS (6-0, 178, Gr )
1 Dee Newsome (6-3, 170, So )
SS 17 AMARI WANSLEY (6-0, 183, Sr ) -or- 9 LASHON YOUNG (5-11, 175, So )
FS 19 REY LENHARDT (6-1, 201, Fr )
SPECIAL TEAMS
P 32 NOAH JONES (6-0, 180, Gr )
58 Will Thorley (6-3, 215, Jr )
PK 26 JAKE GARNER (6-0, 195, Fr )
51 Jacob Gettman (6-0, 160, Fr )
KO 26 JAKE GARNER (6-0, 195, Fr )
51 Jacob Gettman (6-0, 160, Fr )
LS 61 ALEX APPLEFIELD (5-10, 208, Gr )
56 Aidan Barr (6-0, 205, Jr )
H 59 WILL THORLEY (6-3, 215, Jr .)
32 Noah Jones (6-0, 180, Gr )
PR 4 PRESTON BIRD (5-10, 170, So )
7 Jaden Gibson (6-0, 179, So .)
KR 13 CALVIN JONES (5-10, 185, Sr )
85 Nick Bookman (5-9, 160, Fr )
2025 SAMFORD FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Ricky Turner , Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Shawn Bostick, Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line
Scot Sloan, Defensive Coordinator
K.D. Humphries, Running Backs/Running Game Coordinator
Darien Moody, Defensive Line
Peter Renkoski, Tigh Ends/Asst Offensive Line
Chazman Scales, Cornerbacks
Blake Catlett, Defensive Backs
Cal King, Linebackers
Tyler Zielenske, Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
Thomas Morton, Quarterbacks
Chris Hatcher Head Coach
2025 FOOTBALL
2025 CHATTANOOGA DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
LT 69 Aidan Donald (So , 6-3, 262)
66 Watts Alexander (Fr , 6-4, 296)
LG 56 Nick Paul (So , 6-2, 303)
76 Daz Galloway (Jr , 6-1, 312)
C 50 Devin Lively (So , 6-2, 296)
53 B .J Ragland (Sr , 6-1, 286)
70 Joseph Kallies (So , 6-0, 312)
RG 67 Tyrell Ragland (Jr , 6-2, 308)
77 Jules Ney (Fr ., 6-2, 296)
RT 64 Ryan Merklinger (Sr , 6-4, 319)
62 Tracy Jackson (Fr , 6-1, 311)
TE 7 John McIntyre (So ., 6-3, 241)
-or-
85 N Eberly-Rodriguez (Sr , 6-5, 242)
88 TJ Briggs (Fr , 6-6, 240)
X 5 Josh Williams (So , 6-0, 192)
8 Jamarri Robinson (Sr , 6-2, 179)
Z 4 A J Little (So , 5-11, 191)
28 Erik Bussman (Fr , 5-10, 175)
H 6 Markell Quick (Jr ., 5-10, 162)
3 Taylor Crumedy (Fr , 5-10, 163)
QB 11 Camden Orth (Sr , 6-3, 218)
17 Luke Schomburg (Jr ., 6-3, 194)
RB 2 Justus Durant (Sr , 5-9, 179)
0 Ryan Ingram (Sr , 5-10, 225)
10 Journey Wyche (So , 5-10, 193)
DEFENSE
E 10 Orlando Daniels (Sr ., 6-5, 239)
40 Jordyn Dickerson (So , 6-2, 230)
N 91 Montrell Henderson (Jr , 6-2, 294)
-or- 55 Ky Tayo (Jr , 6-0, 287)
T 5 Jamarr Jones (Jr , 6-0, 257)
90 Isaiah Harvey (Fr , 6-0, 251)
-or- 94 Myles Mays (Fr , 6-2, 280)
E 9 Marquise Freeman (Sr , 6-3, 216)
33 Jestin Gilmore (Jr ., 6-2, 223)
M 42 Zion Rutledge (Jr , 5-11, 231)
2 Kristian Ozane (Jr , 5-11, 223)
W 8 Amanuel Dickson (So ., 5-10, 215)
41 Landon Feggins (Fr , 6-0, 226)
N 34 Kamari Todd (Fr , 6-1, 170)
3 Martez Cooksey, Jr (So ., 5-9, 186)
C 24 KJ Sejour (Fr , 5-9, 156)
27 DJ Adams (Jr , 6-0, 168)
SS 23 Kam Baah-Slay (Jr , 6-3, 197)
15 Jordan Davis (Fr , 6-2, 197)
FS 22 Kaelin Drakeford (Sr , 6-3, 201)
4 AJ Wallace (Fr , 6-2, 183)
C 19 Jeremiah Batiste (Sr ., 5-11, 179)
7 Keyshawn Jackson (So , 6-3, 189)
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK 92 Jude Kelley (Sr , 6-1, 182)
80 Gray Kelley (Fr , 6-0, 205)
H 16 Heath Jehu (So ., 6-1, 176)
61 Pete Sesterhenn (So , 5-11, 180)
P 16 Heath Jehu (So , 6-1, 176)
61 Pete Sesterhenn (So ., 5-11, 180)
LS 44 Grant Reid (Sr , 6-0, 226)
60 JJ Heath (Fr , 6-3, 237)
KO 80 Gray Kelley (Fr ., 6-0, 205)
92 Jude Kelley (Sr , 6-1, 182)
KR 6 Markell Quick (Jr , 5-10, 162)
2 Justus Durant (Sr ., 5-9, 179)
PR 4 AJ Little (So , 5-11, 191)
5 Josh Williams (So , 6-0, 192)
2025 CHATTANOOGA FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Mike Yeager, DC/LB
Julian Miller, DT
Wolfgang Shafer, S/ST
Ken Lucky II, CB
Tyrus Ward, DE
Romeo Wykle, QC
Joe Pizzo, OC/QB
D.J. Knox, RB
Kevin Revis, OL
Zeb Speir, TE
Ricky Spradling, WR
Jay Gibson, QC
Rusty Wright Head Coach
BOBBY BOWDEN FIELD AT PETE HANNA STADIUM
Bobby Bowden Field at Pete Hanna Stadium has been home to the Samford football team since 1958, one year after the campus was moved from East Lake to its present site Over the years, the stadium has seen some memorable football, including the Bobby Bowden era (1959-62), a one-loss season in 1971, the Terry Bowden era, which ended with a 14-game Bulldog winning streak in the stadium and the 2022 season that saw the Bulldogs win the SoCon, host the stadium’s first FCS Playoff game and post a 6-0 record in the facility .
The stadium was originally named Seibert Stadium, in honor of the late F. Page Seibert, a Daytona Beach, Fla ., businessman who donated money for the completion of the stadium in 1961 with the addition of stands on the west side . Originally, the stadium had the current gatehouse and seating on the east side During the 2023 season, the stadium was renamed Pete Hanna Stadium, honoring Samford alumni and supporter Pete Hanna
The first game was played Friday, Sept . 26, 1958, with Samford losing to Sewanee, 21-0 Bobby Bowden brought Samford (then known as Howard College) its first win in the stadium on Oct . 3, 1959, as the Bulldogs defeated the Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0 The first win against varsity competition came two weeks later when the Bulldogs defeated Millsaps, 26-0
The facility has undergone numerous improvements during the past few years . In 2019, a brand new state-of-the-art video board was installed
in the north end zone of the stadium Before the 2009 season, the Cooney Family Field House was opened in the South end zone of the stadium . The facility includes locker rooms, training rooms, meeting rooms and coaches offices for Samford’s football program . A second-level terrace overlooks Pete Hanna Stadium The facility was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House in 2014, honoring former head coach Pat Sullivan and his wife, Jean
In fall 2005, the original grass surface was replaced with an LSR Blade Synthetic Surface The surface was replaced in 2013 with a Hybrid Mono/XP by Warner Athletic Construction, and was again replaced in 2024 . The four-level Bashinsky Press Tower was completed before the 1989 season . This GeorgianColonial structure contains complete facilities for print and electronic media on the third level, reserved seating for 51 guests on the second level, and a concession stand and restroom facilities on the ground floor A partially covered film deck is located atop the facility, and an elevator serves all levels
At the same time, more than 200 theatre-type reserved seats were added in front of the press tower, bringing the seating capacity to 6,700 Aluminum seating replaced the original wooden seats . A scoreboard featuring an electronic matrix message board was added before the 1994 season The improvements have made Samford’s football facility one of the finest in the nation at the Division I-FCS level
PETE HANNA STADIUM RECORDS
BUILT:
Gatehouse and East Stands, 1958; West Side Stands, 1961; Bashinsky Press Tower, 1989; Electronic Message Board, 1994; Video Board, 2005; SullivanCooney Family Field House, 2009 .
FIRST GAME:
Friday, Sept 26, 1958 (Sewanee defeated Samford, 21-0)
FIRST WIN:
Oct 3, 1959 (Samford defeated Tennessee Tech “B” team, 34-0)
FIRST VARSITY WIN: Oct 16, 1959 (Samford defeated Millsaps, 26-0)
SAMFORD OVERALL RECORD AT SEIBERT (272 GAMES): 185-89-4 ( 673)
SAMFORD DAY RECORD AT SEIBERT (197 GAMES): ): 126-72-4 ( 634)
SAMFORD NIGHT RECORD AT SEIBERT (77 GAMES): 61-17-0 ( 782)
MOST COMMON OPPONENTS AT SEIBERT: Chattanooga 15, Jacksonville State 11, Tennessee Tech 10, UT Martin 10, Mississippi College 9
MOST SAMFORD POINTS: 77 vs Mars Hill (7), 2016
LARGEST MARGIN OF VICTORY: 70 points (Samford 77, Mars Hill 7), 2016
MOST OPPONENT’S POINTS: 82, by Salem (Samford 9), 1984
LONGEST RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE:
85-yard run, Micah Kelly, vs Western Carolina, 2024
LONGEST PASS COMPLETION:
92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs Chattanooga, 2013
LONGEST SAMFORD PASS COMPLETION:
92-yard touchdown, Andy Summerlin to Chris Cephus vs Chattanooga, 2013
LONGEST PUNT:
73 yards, Ray Collins, vs . Southwestern, 1961
LONGEST FIELD GOAL:
52 yards, Ray Early of Furman, 2010
LONGEST SAMFORD FIELD GOAL:
48 yards, Mark Prevost, vs Jacksonville State, 2007
LONGEST PUNT RETURN:
90-yard touchdown, Mick Edmonson of Jacksonville State, 1989
LONGEST SAMFORD PUNT RETURN:
76 yards, Anthony Jordan, vs Alcorn State, 1994
LONGEST KICKOFF RETURN:
100-yard touchdown, Karel Hamilon vs Chattanooga, 2015; 100-yard touchdown, Fabian Truss vs Western Carolina, 2013
LONGEST INTERCEPTION RETURN:
100-yard touchdown, Ricky Fields, vs Concord, 1990
MOST YARDS RUSHING:
249, Surkano Edwards, vs West Georgia, 1992
MOST CARRIES:
35, Derek Staley, vs . Tennessee Tech, 1995
MOST TOUCHDOWNS RUSHING:
4, Quincy Crittendon, vs Western Carolina, 2024; Michael Eubank, vs VMI, 2014; 4, Steve Hayden, vs . Morgan State, 1995; 4, Brady Jones, vs Austin Peay, 1990; 4, Brady Jones, vs East Tennessee State, 1989
MOST PASS ATTEMPTS:
60, Ray Nelson, vs Jacksonville State, 2003
MOST COMPLETIONS:
43, Michael Hiers, vs . Mercer, 2022
MOST YARDS PASSING: 495, Andy Summerlin, vs . Georgia Southern, 2013
MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES:
6, Jimbo Fisher, vs Ferrum, 1987; 6, Jimbo Fisher, vs Maryville, 1987
MOST RECEPTIONS:
16, Efrem Hill, vs Jacksonville State, 2003
MOST TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS:
3, Efrem Hill, vs Eastern Kentucky, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs West Alabama, 2004; 3, Efrem Hill, vs West Alabama, 2003; 3, Kelvin McKnight, vs Western Carolina, 2018
Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House
Prior to the start of practice for the 2009 season, the Samford football program moved into the Cooney Family Field House During the 2014 season, the facility was renamed in honor of then head coach Pat Sullivan and is now known as the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House .
The field house houses a locker room, nutrition center, training room, weight room, equipment room, coaches’ offices, meeting rooms and a film room .
The field house, which is 39,400 square feet, cost approximately $8 million dollars, with all money privately donated .
The Cooney Family Field House was made possible with a lead gift from Birmingham business executive and Samford graduate Gary Cooney, vice chairman of McGriff, Seibels &
Williams, Inc ., one of the nation’s leading insurance brokerage firms . Cooney said he wanted to honor his parents, the late John and Patricia Cooney, and other family members with the naming .
“Our family has a long history with Samford, andmy hope is that these gifts will encourage others to support this great university,” Cooney said at the time of the dedication “We have great confidence in the leadership of Dr . Westmoreland and our good friend, Coach Pat Sullivan, and we want to help have a positive influence on young student-athletes . ”
Cooney graduated from Samford in 1974 He was a member of the school’s 1971 team that won the NCAA Division II West Region Championship .
Academic Enhancement Program
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has strongly enforced academic reform this decade as it pertains to student-athletes’ continuing eligibility and ultimate college graduation Because of the tightening of new legislation, academic support services throughout the country have been highlighted to spearhead the additional success that is needed for student-athletes to earn a degree The academic success for Samford University student-athletes begins with the Academic Enhancement Program [AEP] The AEP was developed in the early 1990s and is based on individual instruction with student-athletes who are integrated within a caring environment that is conducive to academic success
The AEP system is designed to provide Samford’s student-athletes with the necessary guidance, personal attention and academic skills— enhancement activities to help them have the most positive educational and personal experience possible . Student-athletes are integrated within a foundation of the university’s general education core curriculum that emphasizes basic skills for academic achievement .
Tutors and academic mentors assist athletes in writing courses, foreign languages, math, science and business, to name a few . With tutorial sessions incorporating improved study techniques, the AEP puts student-athletes in position to succeed and become independent learners .
The AEP environment includes a computer lab/classroom, private tutor rooms and quiet study space .
In conjunction with the Career Development Center, the Writing Center, the Academic Success Center and all student support services, the AEP is a bridge from freshman orientation to graduation and professional life .
The AEP strives to meet the needs, concerns and overall welfare of all student-athletes Each May, the academic enhancement office honors studentathletes who have achieved a 3 0 GPA or better over the last two full terms
LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM
The Department of Athletics offers a variety of support programs for student-athletes, including
some NCAA Student Affairs programming This student development program exists to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting There are five focus areas that address student-athlete development
Commitment to Academic Excellence: To support the academic progress of student-athletes toward intellectual development and graduation
Commitment to Athletic Excellence: To build philosophical foundations for the development of athletics programs that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the well-being of student-athletes
Commitment to Personal Development:
To support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, personal growth and decision-making skills .
Commitment to Career Development: To encourage student-athletes to develop and pursue career and life goals .
Commitment to Service: To engage studentathletes in service to their campus and surrounding community . Throughout the year, student-athletes attend the programs in the five commitment areas that are most relevant and helpful to them at their current stage of development . This is done through workshops and seminars, campus partnerships and other programming throughout the year . Topics include financial management, time management, media relations, spiritual development, choosing a major and a career, résumé writing, and sportsmanship . Speakers include faculty members, coaches, administrators, business leaders and former student-athletes .
All AEP programming is designed to enhance and support the academic and athletic endeavors of student-athletes Student-athletes gain preparation for success in life, develop enhanced interpersonal skills, build positive self-esteem, develop leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to their communities
CHARLES WILLIAMS MEMORIAL JERSEY
On May 23, 2003, Samford junior cornerback Charles Williams died in a car accident . In only two seasons on the team, Williams emerged as a starter in the secondary in 2002 . In addition to his success on the field, Williams also maintained one of the highest grade point averages on the team For the 2003 and 2004 seasons (what would have been Williams’ junior and senior seasons) no one wore jersey No . 5, the number that Williams wore . Every year since then, a senior has been selected to wear the No . 5, the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey
Ossie Buchannon Jon Weber
Justin Shade T.C . Myers
Bryce Smith Brinson Porter Jay McCurty Sean Thompson
Carson Barnett Devon Schmitt Shaheed Salmon Tyler Queen Nick Barton
Montrell Washington Liam Welch Nathan East
Chandler Smith Noah Martin
Rodney Shepherd
Ryan Dudchock
98 %
Graduation Success Rate
Average GPA for all of Samford’s student-athletes for the academic year.
72%
student-athletes made Fall 2024 Dean’s List
student-athletes made Spring 2024 Dean’s List
79
student-athletes earned the Commissioner’s Medal
34 3.25
student-athletes had a 4.0 GPA
144 130 14/15 81
Academic All-Conference Fall 2022
145
321 of Samford’s student-athletes had a GPA of 3.0 or higher
teams had a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
Academic All-Conference Spring 2023
student-athletes on the SoCon Academic Honor Roll
Beck A. Taylor President
Beck A. Taylor began his tenure as the 19th president of Samford University in July 2021 Taylor, who served as dean and professor of economics for Samford’s Brock School of Business from 2005-2010, returned to Samford after serving as the 18th president of Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, from 2010-2021
After earning his undergraduate degree from Baylor with majors in economics and finance, Taylor was employed as an analyst for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in Houston, Texas He went on to earn his MS and PhD in economics from Purdue University Shortly thereafter, he returned to Baylor as associate dean for research and faculty development for the Hankamer School of Business, and was named the first holder of the W.H . Smith Professorship in Economics . In 2002, he was appointed as a visiting scholar by Harvard University where he spent one year in residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education .
As dean of Samford’s Brock School of Business, Taylor led the rapid transformation of the business school, including its renaming to honor Harry B . Brock Jr ., founder of Compass Bank . Taylor led the Brock School of Business to establish eight new academic programs, as well as the school’s new honors program . The school’s entrepreneurship program was recognized in 2010
as the nation’s top emerging program by the U .S . Association for Small Business & Entrepreneurship In an effort to build bridges between students and the Birmingham business community, Taylor established the Samford Business Network, as well as a 45-member advisory board of the region’s top business leaders
As a scholar, Taylor has published dozens of studies in economics journals such as Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Labor Economics, Journal of Human Resources and Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking Illustrating his diverse research interests and his connections to the social sciences, Taylor has also published groundbreaking research in public health and child developmental psychology His research has been cited in testimony given before the U .S . Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and the California State Assembly, and also has been referenced in publications such as TheNewYorkTimes,The BostonGlobe,andTheChristianScienceMonitor . Taylor is a member of numerous professional and academic organizations, and he has served as a strategic business consultant for dozens of organizations . He and his wife, Julie, have three children .
Martin Newton, Director of Athletics
Samford University alumnus and director of athletics Martin Newton has transformed the Bulldogs into one of the Southern Conference’s most successful programs since taking the helm of the department on March 9, 2011 . Two years ago, Newton signed a five-year contract extension that began on July 1, 2022 .
Newton has made an impact nationally in his time at Samford as he is in the middle of a five-year appointment to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee In 2026-27, he will serve as the committees chair Additionally, he currently serves on the NCAA Division I Council and the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee He was also recently appointed to the NCAA Council Coordination Committee (CCC)
On the fields and courts, the Bulldogs have captured 82 Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships during his tenure, including a school record 11 championships in 2022-23
Additionally, Samford has won the last five Southern Conference’s Germann Cups (top women’s athletics program) and Graduation Rate awards Samford has also won two of the last three Commissioner’s Cups, which goes to the top men’s athletic program in the SoCon . Academically, the school’s student-athletes have also posted outstanding results in the classroom, with 2,735 Bulldogs being named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll . Samford’s student-athletes posted an impressive 98 percent in the most recent NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report, the highest mark in the SoCon and in the state of Alabama . Over the last 14 years, the Athletics Department has seen significant growth in corporate partnerships and annual giving, more than doubling philanthropic gifts and sponsorship revenues . Facility enhancements have also been a hallmark of Newton’s tenure with the Bulldogs . Samford has opened a new soccer and track stadium as well as a new softball stadium, indoor hitting facility for the baseball and softball programs and an indoor practice
facility for men’s and women’s golf . A new academic center was recently built in Bashinsky Field House . Additionally, state-of-the-art video boards have been added to the Pete Hanna Center (men’s and women’s basketball/volleyball), Pete Hanna Stadium (football), Joe Lee Griffin Field (baseball) and in Shauna Yelton Field at the Cameron Bean Track (soccer/track and field) .
The football video board was a part of Phase I of the Seibert Stadium project, which was completed in August 2019 and was 100 percent donor funded . Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House
In the spring of 2017, a goal of Newton’s was realized when the inaugural class of the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame was inducted
He has also negotiated an exclusive universitywide footwear and apparel deal with Nike, helped lead the way on a university-wide licensing agreement with the Licensing Resource Group and successfully transformed the antiquated radio network into an industry leader in campus-led broadcast production with all Samford home athletic events airing on ESPN3 or ESPN+
Newton started the Samford Strong Leadership Academy in 2014 The academy is a program jointly developed between the Athletics Department and the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership . Its mission is to bring successful athletes to campus to share their personal stories and the importance of faith and character to success in all areas of life for Samford’s student-athletes .
Following his 1983 graduation from Samford, he worked in sports marketing for Converse for 13 years . Newton then spent 13 years in a similar capacity at Nike . Prior to his return to Samford, Newton was hired at the University of Kentucky in 2009, where he managed the budget, fund-raising, compliance, scheduling, marketing and academic support for the men’s basketball program .
Newton and his wife, Cindy, have three grown children, Katie, Madison and Charles . They also have two grandsons, Charlie and Sawyer .
Head Coaches
SOFTBALL
Megan Curry
Keylor Chan
W. GOLF
Shane Warren
M. GOLF
Al DelGreco
W. TENNIS
David Vest
SOCCER
Todd Yelton
TRACK & FIELD
Rod Tiffin
Tony David
W. BASKETBALL
Matt Wise
M. TENNIS
Oliver Reynolds
M. BASKETBALL
Lennie Acuff FOOTBALL
Chris Hatcher
Ask Before You Act
Compliance with NCAA rules is of utmost importance to Samford University . As a member of the NCAA, Samford is responsible for the actions of its coaches, student-athletes, employees, alumni, donors, boosters and friends As such, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these important items concerning NCAA rules and always remember to ASK BEFORE YOU ACT: 205-726-4244 | compliance@samford.edu Twitter: @Samford_Rules
FIVE IMPORTANT RULES
1 . Only coaches and athletics department staff members are permitted to be involved in the recruiting process . Alumni, friends and “other representatives of athletic interest” who are not employed by the university are not permitted to contact a prospect (or members of the prospect’s family) by letter, telephone or in person (on or off campus) for the purpose of soliciting participation in the athletics program Samford faculty members are permitted to have contact with prospects on campus only
2 A prospect remains a prospect even after he or she signs a Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement to attend the university . The prospect does not lose prospect status until the start of classes at Samford or the beginning of official team practice prior to the start of classes .
3 The prohibition of contact with a prospect is intended to relate to unavoidable incidental contacts with a prospect by representatives of a member institution’s athletics interest It is understood that such a contact is not prearranged by the athletics representative or an athletics department staff member; is not made for the purpose of recruitment of the prospect; and involves only normal civility For example, if you meet a high school student or junior college student-athlete, you can talk with him or her about anything except Samford athletics . If you are attending a public function and find yourself talking to the parents of a prospect, you can talk about anything that doesn’t relate to the athletics department
4 If a student-athlete accepts any benefits or special consideration based on his or her status as an athlete or because of athletic skill, the student-athlete will lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletic participation Do not do anything for prospective or enrolled studentathletes without specific authorization from the Samford Athletics Compliance Office
5 . Representatives of athletics interest (boosters) are reminded that NCAA rules regarding enrolled studentathletes remain in effect throughout the entire year, including summer breaks . When student-athletes complete their final season of eligibility, they must abide by NCAA rules until the end of that academic year and/ or until they are no longer receiving athletics financial aid
FAQ
Who is a “prospective student-athlete?”
A “prospective student-athlete,” also known as a recruit or prospect, is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade, seventh for men’s basketball and softball In addition, any younger student who receives any benefits from the institution not available to prospective students generally would be considered a prospective student-athlete
Who is a “representative of athletic interest” or booster?
A representative or booster is an individual or business that is or has ever done any of the following:
• been a contributor to the Samford Bulldog Club or has purchased tickets to a Samford athletics event
• been an employee of Samford University or is the spouse of an employee
• has ever made a donation of any kind to the Samford athletics department
• helped to arrange or to provide employment for enrolled student-athletes or for prospects who have signed a National Letter of Intent
• assisted or have been requested (by the athletics department) to assist in the recruitment of students to participate in any of Samford’s athletics programs
• assisted in providing any benefit to Samford enrolled student-athletes or their families
• been involved in promoting Samford athletics programs
Samford University
Samford is one of the country’s leading Christian universities and offers undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional programs through 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States . It enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries
Samford is regularly recognized as one of the best Christian universities in the United States, receiving high marks for academic quality and value . Samford is the top-ranked university in Alabama in national rankings published by The Wall Street Journal . Additionally, The Wall Street Journal ranked Samford #2 in the nation for the quality of character development of its students, #8 in the nation for the quality of career preparation provided to its students, and #10 in the nation for the most highly recommended by students and recent alumni .
Samford’s mission to nurture student development intellectually, ethically and spiritually is fostered through an array of opportunities,
including 151 student organizations, global engagement in more than 19 different countries and dozens of courses that incorporate community service . Additionally, undergraduate students complete Samford’s core curriculum, providing a well-rounded foundation in the liberal arts
Among Samford’s 57,663 alumni have included more than 60 members of the U S Congress, eight state governors, two U .S . Supreme Court justices, one Secretary of State, four Rhodes Scholars, multiple Emmy and Grammy award-winning artists, two national championship football coaches, and recipients of the Pulitzer and Nobel Peace prizes
The university fields 17 varsity sports—eight men’s and nine women’s—that participate at the NCAA Division I level in the Southern Conference . Samford’s athletics teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA The score ranked Samford highest in the SoCon, highest in Alabama and ranked with the second highest percentage in the nation among all Division I universities and tied with more than a dozen others in an impressive group of peer institutions at that level
Samford Distinctions
• The Wall Street Journal ranks Samford #8 of all colleges and universities in the United States for the quality of career preparation provided to its students (2025)
• Samford is ranked 34th in the nation among private universities and 115th among all public, private and liberal arts colleges and universities analyzed for Kiplinger’sPersonal Finance’s Best College Values list (2019) .
• 97% of undergraduate alumni are working or in further study within six months of graduation (2024) .
• Samford’s athletics teams earned a 98% Graduation Success Rate by the NCAA . The score ranked Samford with the second highest percentage in the nation among all Division I universities and tied with impressive group of peer institutions at that level .
• Samford is ranked 1st in Alabama and 32nd nationally by LendEdu in its list of best colleges for financial aid (2020) .
SAMFORD ATHLETICS HALL
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Gifts received by our Bulldog Club Excellence Fund donors position Samford Athletics to recruit, retain and develop the very best student-athletes. Thanks to this support, Samford is producing graduates who are prepared to make a difference in the world.
2024-25 Bulldog Club Excellence Fund Donors
All-Conference level and above
CHAMPION’S CIRCLE
Ginny Aday
Steve & Katrina DeMedicis
Bill & Kimeran Stevens
Rick & Beth Thorne Stukes
HERITAGE CIRCLE
Anthony & Robbin Allen
Bennie & Sonja Bumpers
Wayne & Judy Houston
Mark & Gwen Matthews
Rickie & MaryAnn Moon
Alan & Karen Register
The James I . Harrison Family Foundation
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
Tom & Teri D’Armond
Tommy & Charolette Hamby
James & Virginia Hoven
David & Julie Jenkins
Bobby & Andrea Killingsworth
Ron & Cindy Mims
Rocky & Cindy Pizza
John & Meridith Starling
Brett & Kristie Taylor
Charlie & Lisa Venable
We’d
Athletics Facilities
The Samford University athletics program has risen to regional and national recognition through its commitment to athletic and academic excellence . Samford student-athletes have achieved much on the playing fields and in the classroom .
Paralleling the competitive success of the program, Samford’s athletics facilities also continue to develop .
The newest addition to Samford’s athletics facilities is the new video board installed at Joe Lee Griffin Field early in the 2022 season
The first two phases of a Seibert Stadium upgrade project were also recently completed . Phase I was a new state-of-the-art video board installed in 2019 Phase II, which was completed prior to the 2021 season, included a complete renovation of the Bashinsky Press Tower, new premium seating on the west side of the stadium and renovations to the east side Gate House
At the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium, a new video board was added prior to the start of the 2021 soccer season .
Also, the Samford Softball Field opened in spring 2013 The J T Haywood Field House, which houses an indoor hitting facility, as well as locker rooms and meeting rooms for both baseball and softball, was officially opened in fall 2013
The Samford Track and Soccer Stadium opened in spring 2011 The 1,200-seat facility opened by hosting the 2011 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships .
The facility includes locker rooms, a ticket office, a high-tech press box, a nine-lane track and a regulation soccer field
The Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House for football opened in August 2009 . It includes coaches’ offices, meeting rooms, a locker room, weight room, training room, equipment room and players’ lounge . The facility was renamed the Sullivan-Cooney Family Field House in the fall of 2014 to honor former Head Coach Pat Sullivan and his family .
The convocation/arena/fitness complex, Pete Hanna Center, was completed in fall 2007. The center
provides outstanding playing facilities for volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball in a 5,000-seat center, a fitness/wellness complex for the entire student body, and state-of-the-art training facilities for Samford’s varsity sports . Also included in the facility are offices, meeting space and support facilities for coaches and athletics administration .
The facility is adjacent to Bashinsky Field House and can be expanded up to 6,000 seats for commencement and other major nonathletics events .
The Pat M Courington Tennis Pavilion was completed in 2006 with three indoor courts, a support facility for locker rooms, offices and restrooms Samford’s Tennis Center also includes the Darwin C . Hardison Courts, featuring six outdoor NCAA courts
All-weather field turf was installed at Seibert Stadium in the summer of 2005 . Facilities in Seibert Hall have been renovated to accommodate academic programs and student recreation activities
Joe Lee Griffin Field, home of the Samford Bulldogs baseball team, was remodeled in 2000 to include offices, locker rooms and other support services in a facility that complements the Georgian-Colonial architecture found throughout the Samford campus The Carl E Miller Press Box was added in 2009 .
Bulldog Spirit Plaza, dedicated during 2005 Homecoming weekend, is the focal point of the area connecting Seibert Stadium, Joe Lee Griffin Field, Bashinsky Field House and Pete Hanna Center
Organized by the Class of 2003, the landscaped plaza includes a bas relief of the Bulldog mascot and more than 100 bricks honoring Samford alumni, students, parents, employees, former athletes and friends of the university as a celebration of Samford’s more than 125 years of intercollegiate athletics competition
The athletics department is building its capital campaign efforts to raise funds to further assure Samford athletes of the finest playing facilities possible .
