Stugart to be named UNLV linebackers coach

By Ryan Greene

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 | 2:10 a.m.

UNLV's linebacking corps is sure to be one of the defense's strongest areas this season with the return of junior Starr Fuimaono from injury, and the emergence of senior-to-be Jason Beauchamp and youngsters Nate Carter and Ronnie Paulo.

Now the group has a new man to help keep things in order.

Jed Stugart, who most recently was the head coach at MidAmerican Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan., is joining Mike Sanford's staff as a linebackers coach.

Before heading to MNU, Stugart was the defensive coordinator at Northern Colorado.

"I've been a defensive coordinator at a Division I-AA program, so the recruiting aspect is very similar," Stugart said. "Position coaching, I've coached d-line, linebackers at a I-AA school. I think my experience at Northern Colorado makes me comfortable with the position I'll be taking at UNLV."

Stugart interviewed for a position on the staff three years ago before taking the helm at MNU, where he led the Pioneers to a 26-7 record in three seasons. The NAIA program claimed the 2008 Heart of America Athletic Conference championship and finished the season 10-1.

In the spring of 2007, Stugart had just hired former NFL quarterback Jonathan Quinn -- now the MNU interim head coach -- as his offensive coordinator. As a way of showing his offensive staff the ropes, he brought them out to watch the Rebels practice, as the Pioneers' offensive system mirrored UNLV's in many ways.

The connection between Sanford and Stugart is a mutual friendship with long-time Colorado defensive assistant Brian Cabral.

Linebackers were coached last season by Dennis Therrell, who also served as the Rebels' defensive coordinator. Therrell now will coach safeties and retain his defensive coordinator post.

The Rebels ranked 103rd in the FBS ranks last season in total defense, allowing 423.2 yards per game, and were 110th against the run, allowing 213.1 per outing.

The linebacking corps will be led by Beauchamp, who was eighth in the nation in tackles per game with 10.58. He also led the Mountain West in total stops. Paulo, a sophomore and Carter, a freshman, were forced into heavier duty when Fuimaono went down in the season's second game with a torn ACL.

Smith named running backs coach

In another coaching staff announcement, the Rebels have named DeAndre Smith as their running backs coach.

Smith comes from a one-year stint at New Mexico, where he coached 1,105-yard rusher Rodney Ferguson. Before that was a 3-year stay at Miami (Ohio), preceded by four years at Northern Illinois, where he coached former Huskies greats and current NFL talents Garrett Wolfe and Michael Turner.