Brad Wilson | Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator

Brad Wilson joined Coach Mallory’s staff in 2017 as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach for the Sycamores following five seasons as the defensive coordinator at Wayne State from 2012-16. Wilson was promoted to Assistant Head Coach in the spring of 2023.

The Sycamore defensive coordinator guided ISU to another strong season on the defensive side of the ball with a pair of Sycamores earning All-Conference accolades in Rylan Cole (DB) and Lucas Hunter (DL). Cole went on to be recognized as one of the nation’s best sophomores earning All-American status from HERO Sports.

In the 2021 season, Wilson saw the defense earn multiple accolades throughout the year with Indiana State claiming three MVFC Player of the Week nods (Inoke Moala, Michael Thomas, and JJ Henderson), while Moala earned First Team All-MVFC recognition. Additionally, Henderson and Brown were both honored on the MVFC All-Newcomer squad.

In his first season at Indiana State he saw two defensive players named All-MVFC including linebackers Jonas Griffith who earned named Second Team and Katrell Moss who garnered Honorable Mention honors. Wilson led a much improved Sycamore defense in 2018 which allowed 16.9 fewer points than 2017, one of the best improvements in the entire FCS.

Three defensive players were named to the 2018 MVFC All-Conference team, including linebackers Jonas Griffith (First Team) and Katrell Moss (Second Team), and cornerback Rondell Green (Second team). Griffith also led the country in solo tackles with 81 and ranked fifth nationally in total tackles. Griffith earned three All-American honors in 2018; the first Sycamore to do so in nearly 10 seasons. He was named a Third Team All-American by STATS FCS All-American, Second team All-American by Hero Sports and Third Team All-American by Phil Steele.

In 2019 linebackers Jonas Griffith and Clayton Glasco were named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-League Team while defensive lineman Inoke Moala and safety Michael Thomas also earned MVFC recognition. Over his first three seasons in Terre Haute Wilson coached Jonas Griffith to a program record six All-American awards at the linebacker position.

Senior safety Jamal Jones ranked fifth nationally in fumbles recovered and cornerback Kaelub Newman ranked 16th nationally in forced fumbles. As a team, Indiana State ranked in the top-20 nationally in fumbles recovered and 10th nationally in turnover margin.

In 2015, he helped mentor two Second Team All-GLIAC performers in Jamiil Williams and Zak Bielecki, along with one Academic All-GLIAC honoree (James Hendrix).  The WSU defense finished 44th nationally in first downs defense allowing just 197 throughout the season.

In addition, Bielecki was selected as the squad's Defensive Most Valuable Player, while Williams received the Ron Solack "35" Award for wearing his uniform with unmatched pride and playing the game with enthusiasm.

In 2014, two of his players earned All-Region accolades as Bielecki was a Daktronics Second Team All-Region honoree, while Gerren DuHart was a Beyond Sports Network Second Team All-Region selection prior to being named to the USA Football All-America Second Team.  Bielecki tied for first in the GLIAC and was ninth nationally in solo tackles per game (6.6), while also earning Academic All-GLIAC honors.  DuHart was a First Team All-GLIAC honoree while Bielecki was named to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention Team.

As a unit, the 2014 Warrior defense led the GLIAC in both tackles for loss (9.3) and sacks (2.91) per game, which ranked eighth and 22nd nationally, respectively.  WSU finished 38th in Division II in total defense allowing 338.5 yards per game.

In 2013, five of his student-athletes received Academic All-GLIAC honors (Zak Bielecki, Kevin Buford-Wilson, James Hendrix, Austin Nelson and Mike Sawchuk) with redshirt freshman Valorian Cunningham being voted the Warriors Defensive Rookie of the Year by his teammates.  His contingent totaled seven interceptions, 17 pass break-ups and six tackles for loss.  His defense ranked 35th nationally allowing just 197.5 passing yards per game.

Four of his student-athletes received Academic All-GLIAC accolades (Zak Bielecki, Kevin Buford-Wilson, Austin Nelson and Mike Sawchuk) for the 2012 season with another, Gerren DuHart, being voted First Team All-GLIAC as well as Second Team All-Super Region 4.  In addition, the Warriors ranked ninth nationally in pass defense allowing just 165 yards per game through the air.  His defensive back corps recorded 15 pass break-ups and four interceptions during the 2012 campaign.  In addition, redshirt freshman Jamiil Williams was voted WSU's Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Prior to Wayne State, Wilson spent the previous four seasons (2008-2011) as the secondary coach at Ashland University. A 2007 AU graduate with a degree in education, Wilson also spent two seasons (2005-2006) as a student assistant coach with the Eagles. In that role he worked with the defensive backs, tutoring the cornerbacks and helping to break down film.

He began his coaching career at his high school alma mater (Shelby) from 2002-04, where he was the special teams coordinator and at various times coached the outside linebackers, defensive backs and wide receivers.

Wilson was on the staff at Bowling Green for one year (2007) as the defensive graduate assistant coach with the Falcons.

He and his wife, Amber, have two sons, Brady and Logan.

Mike Bath | Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks

Mike Bath joined the Indiana State coaching staff in March 2022. He will take over the reins as the Sycamores offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Bath finished his first season with the Sycamores in 2022. The Sycamore offensive coordinator guided a unit that featured the 2022 MVC Freshman of the Year in quarterback Cade Chambers, while Dante Hentrix (WR), Justin Dinka (RB), Harry Van Dyne (WR), and Jose Vazquez IV (OL) all earned All-Conference honors.

Bath joined Indiana State by way of a three-year stint at Western Michigan where he oversaw the program's running backs.

Bath served as the running backs coach for three seasons and helped paced the Broncos offense to new levels in the running game. Three Broncos earned All-Conference accolades during his tenure including LeVante Bellamy taking 2019 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year accolades and finishing among the 2019 Doak Walker semifinalists that season.

This past year, the Broncos running game featured a 1,000-yard rusher as Sean Tyler utilized 178 carries for 1,150 yards and nine touchdowns as Western Michigan’s offense averaged 215.92 yards per game on the ground on their way to an 8-5 record.

The unprecedented 2020 campaign saw the Broncos play just six MAC games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Bath's running backs still proved an integral part of a WMU offense that ranked ninth nationally in scoring. La'Darius Jefferson paced the stable of running backs by earning second-team All-MAC honors after his 624 rushing yards (104.0 per game) ranked fourth in the league. In addition, Jaxson Kincaide made the most of his 31 carries by averaging 7.03 yards per rush, seventh in the league. All together, the WMU rushing attack ranked in the top four in the MAC in both total rushing yards (1,159) and touchdowns (14).

His first year in Kalamazoo was an undeniable success with senior LeVante Bellamy being named the Mid-American Conference Vern Smith Leadership Award as the league’s MVP, as well as the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Bellamy was one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation’s top running back.

Bath helped Bellamy finish an outstanding 2019 season leading the country in rushing touchdowns with 23. Bellamy also finished the year ranked third nationally in points per game (10.6), fourth in total touchdowns scored (23), fifth in total points scored (138), ninth in rushing yards per game (113.2) and 10th in total rushing yards (1,472). At the conclusion of the 2019 campaign, Bellamy represented Western Michigan in the East-West Shrine Bowl and at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis from February 23 - March 2, 2020.

As a whole, Bath helped the offense to 33.1 points per game, good for 30th in the country. The Broncos also turned in a 6-0 home ledger, the 12th unbeaten home season in program history.

Bath arrived in Kalamazoo after five seasons at Wyoming (2014-18) and stints at Miami University (2004-09, 2011-13) and Ashland University (2009-10). Bath coached the Cowboy running backs, fullbacks and tight ends and was a co-special teams coordinator during his time in Laramie.

In 2017, Bath guided senior fullback Drew Van Maanen, who was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy, also referred to as the Academic Heisman. The Cowboys’ 2017 offense was extremely efficient in the red zone, scoring on 33-of-34 opportunities to rank No. 2 in the nation. The unit committed only 14 turnovers to stand 19th nationally and led the country in turnover margin at +24.

Cowboy special teams also were among the nation’s best in 2017.  Wyoming topped the country in kickoff returns (28.3 yards per return) and ranked 30th in punt returns (10.26 yards per return). The punt return coverage team was also extremely effective, ranking No. 2 in the conference and No. 27 nationally, allowing opponents only 4.72 yards per return.  Individually, Cowboy kickoff returner Tyler Hall earned honorable mention All-Mountain West honors as a sophomore.

Bath coached former Cowboy running back Brian Hill, who set Wyoming career and single-season rushing records during his three-year career, which ended in 2016. Hill finished with 4,287 rushing yards, and, in 2016, set the Wyoming single-season rushing record with 1,860 yards. Hill was one of 10 national semifinalists for the 2016 Doak Walker Award and earned third team All-America honors from College Sports Madness. Hill was invited to and participated in the 2017 NFL Combine, and was selected in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

Bath helped a 2016 Cowboy offense that averaged 35.9 points per game to rank second in the Mountain West and 25th in the nation. The passing game averaged a stout 15.3 yards per completion to stand eighth in the country.

The 2015 season saw Cowboy running back Shaun Wick named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List. Later in the season, Hill was added to the Doak Walker Watch List and went on to be named one of 11 semifinalists for the award and was the only semifinalist from a non-Power 5 conference. Hill earned second team All-Mountain West honors in 2015, and ranked No. 8 in the nation in average rushing yards per game (135.9) and No. 9 in total rushing yards (1,631).  His 1,631 rushing yards and 135.9 yards per game broke the Wyoming program records set by Ryan Christopherson in 1994.  Wick ended his Wyoming career with 2,533 career rushing yards to rank No. 6 on the Wyoming career list.

In 2014, Bath coached Wick and Hill who combined for 1,589 rushing yards and eight 100-yard rushing games. Hill was selected the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week for his performance at Fresno State in that season as he accounted for 387 all-purpose yards against the Bulldogs - 281 rushing yards and 106 receiving yards.  He became only the fifth player in NCAA history to rush for at least 200 yards and have at least 100 yards receiving in a single game.  His 387 all-purpose yards set a Wyoming single-game record and a Mountain West Conference single-game record. His 281 rushing yards was the second best single-game performance in Wyoming program history.

Prior to joining Wyoming, Bath served as the interim head coach at Miami (Ohio), his alma mater, in 2013.  He was named interim head coach on October 6, 2013, and assumed offensive coordinator duties at that time after beginning the season coaching the quarterbacks and wide receivers.

Bath had returned to his alma mater in 2011 to coach the wide receivers and tight ends. In 2012, he moved into the role of quarterbacks coach, and worked with Zac Dysert, who set program records for career total offense (12,678) and career passing yards (12,013).  Dysert was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2013 and was part of a Bronco team that made a run to the Super Bowl his rookie season.

Bath began his college coaching career in 2004 as a graduate assistant coach for his alma mater. After serving as a graduate assistant in 2004 and 2005, he was named a full-time assistant in 2006 and coached the RedHawk tight ends for three seasons, from 2006-08.  During his time as an assistant coach at Miami, the RedHawks captured three MAC East Division Championships (2004, 2005 & 2007) and made an Independence Bowl appearance in 2004.

Two of his tight ends, Tom Crabtree and Jake O’Connell, went on to play in the NFL while wide receivers Andy Cruse, Chris Givens and Nick Harwell all went on to the NFL following Bath’s guidance.

In 2009 and 2010, Bath served as the offensive coordinator at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. During the 2009 campaign, Bath helped quarterback Billy Cundiff to 2,482 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and a completion percentage of 65.9 while throwing just one interception. As a whole, the Eagle offense averaged 29.2 points per game, 403.0 yards per contest and 43 percent conversion rate on third downs. Cundiff capped his Ashland career with a trio of all-league selections.

A year later, in 2010, Bath helped first-year starting quarterback Taylor Housewright to 2,378 yards, 24 TDs and 13.3 yards per completion. Housewright guided the Eagles to 37.7 points per game, 421.4 yards per game and a 47 percent conversion rate on third down attempts.

Both Cundiff and Housewright signed NFL free agent contracts following their Eagle careers.

A three-year starter at quarterback for Miami from 1998-2000, Bath compiled a record of 23-10 as a starter and led the RedHawks to the MAC East Division co-championship as a sophomore in 1998. That team posted a 10-1 overall record and a 7-1 conference mark. Among those 10 wins in 1998 was a 13-10 upset victory over No. 12 North Carolina and a 14-13 victory over Army. During Bath’s junior season, Miami upset Northwestern 28-3 in Evanston. As a senior, Bath helped the RedHawks win 33-30 at Vanderbilt. Bath was named his team’s co-MVP his senior season.

At the conclusion of his college playing career, Bath held program career records of 6,524 yards passing and 49 passing touchdowns.

He graduated from Miami with a double major in marketing and organizational behavior in 2001.

Bath and his wife, Tara, have four children, Colton, Savannah, Case and Cannon.

Collin Coffer | Assistant Coach / Wide Receivers

Collin Coffer joined the Indiana State football program in June of 2021 after a five-year stint at the University of Indianapolis.

Coffer’s 2022 wide receiver unit featured a pair of All-Conference performers in Dante Hendrix (First) and Harry Van Dyne (Honorable Mention) in the 2022 season. Hendrix finished his season as one of the all-time greats in Indiana State history finishing as ISU’s all-time receiving yards leader, while finishing among the tops all-time in receptions. Altogether, the Sycamores averaged 167.9 yards per game through the air while sitting among the national leaders with 12.15 yards per catch. Four Sycamores finished the year with at least 10 receptions, while Dakota Caton and Van Dyne both had more than 20 receptions on the season.

During the 2019 campaign, Coffer helped the Hounds to a dominant season, particularly offensively. UIndy topped the GLVC and ranking in the nation's top 10 in a number of categories, including fewest turnovers lost (1st in DII), scoring offense (2nd), time of possession (4th) and team passing efficiency (6th). Team totals of 47.1 points per game, 506.7 total yards of offense per game, 69 total touchdowns and 147 rushing first downs all set new UIndy benchmarks.

Throughout his time in Indianapolis, Coffer assisted the Hounds during four successful GLVC title runs and five NCAA DII playoff appearances in his combined six seasons on the UIndy staff.

Coffer has mentored three All-GLVC First Team wideouts in Daveon Bell, Malik Higgins and Garrett Willis. While Bell is looking forward to his senior season in 2020, the latter two both finished their careers in the UIndy career top 10 in both receptions and receiving yards, with Higgins also ranking third in receiving touchdowns.

Immediately after earning his degree from UIndy in the spring of 2012, Coffer spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach for his alma mater, working with the defensive backs in both '12 and '13. He then moved on to become the Assistant Wide Receivers Coach at Ball State in 2014, followed by a one-year stint as the Defensive Backs Coach at former GLVC-rival Saint Joseph's College.

As a player, Coffer was a four-year starter at cornerback for the Greyhounds. An All-GLIAC Honorable Mention honoree as a senior, he finished his time at UIndy with seven career interceptions, including a pick-six in a big win over playoff-bound Saginaw Valley State in 2011. He also ran back a blocked field goal 79 yards for a score versus Kentucky Wesleyan in the '09 opener and was later named the team's Defensive Back of the Year in '11.

JJ Henderson | Assistant Coach / Cornerbacks

Henderson led the Sycamore cornerbacks in his first season in 2022 as the ISU assistant coach helped guide a unit that battled injuries to finish among the nation’s best in the pass defense. The Sycamore defensive unit finished among the tops in the FCS allowing 222.9 passing yards per game this past season, while also allowing a 140.26 defensive passing efficiency.

Kenny-Ray Augustus | Assistant Coach / Defensive Line

Kenny-Ray Augustus joined the Indiana State coaching staff in the spring of 2023. He joins the Sycamores after coaching stops with the University of Indianapolis, McKendree University, Butler University and most recently Ball State University. He has also been a part of the NFL's Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship Program joining the San Diego Chargers (2010), Carolina Panthers (2012), and Cincinnati Bengals (2020 & 2021) over his coaching career.

In his most recent collegiate stop, Augustus served as a defensive analyst at Ball State (2022) assisting in academics, coaching, and recruiting. He helped support the overall vision, defensive scheme and philosophy within a 3-4 system, while also managing defensive line rotation and working with weekly scouting reports.

Prior to that, he served as the defensive line coach and pass rush specialist at Butler University from 2021-22. Working within the Bulldogs' 3-4 system, Augustus monitored student-athlete academic development, as well as daily performance evaluation and technique instruction. He also actively coached special teams for up backs and returners on kickoff return and the P.A.T/field goal block units.

Augustus spent four years working at McKendree University from July 2018-21 working as the defensive line coach and the defensive run game coordinator. Among the highlights from his time at McKendree included coaching the 2019 GLVC Special Teams Player of the Year and NFL undrafted free agent Matt Cole.

Augustus started his coaching career at the University of Indianapolis from 2005-18 where he served as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator. Over his time at Indianapolis, the team won five GLVC Championships and made four NCAA Division II playoff appearances. The team went undefeated in the 2017 regular season and posted five seasons of 25.0-plus sacks. The 2017 team also had the distinction of all four defensive line starters earning All-Conference recognition. During his time at Indianapolis, he also established the Tim Jones Iron Man Award.

Augustus lined up and played for the University of Cincinnati (1997-99) following an All-American career at Joliet Junior College (1995-97). He graduated from Cincinnati in July 1999 with a degree in criminal justice.

Augustus and his wife Amber have one daughter (Gabi-Rae).

Alex Mitchell | Assistant Coach / Running Backs

Alex Mitchell joined the Indiana State coaching staff as the running backs coach in the spring of 2023 following coaching stints with ISU, Western Michigan, and Kenyon College.

Mitchell previously served as a graduate assistant at Indiana State in the fall of 2022 working extensively with the tight end group and the special teams unit. Among his responsibilities included creating pre-game tests for the tight ends, as well as breaking down opponent fronts, stunts, and blitzes identified during games. He also actively participated in the opponent game planning and conducted scout team meetings with the ISU defensive line and linebackers.

As a part of his special teams responsibilities, Mitchell coordinated the scout teams and was responsible for identifying and communicating opponent schemes during games from the coaches’ box.

Prior to his time at Indiana State, Mitchell coached as Western Michigan University from 2020-2022 first as an offensive quality control coach (2020 & 2021) and then as a defensive graduate assistant (2022). Over his final season at WMU he worked primarily with the defensive linemen, as well as assisting with scout cards, inputting game and practice film data, breaking down opponent film, and managing and running the defensive scout team.

While working offensive quality control, Mitchell worked with the WMU quarterbacks assisting with drills, pre-game warmups, and post-game analysis. He also conducted regular film sessions and meetings with one of the top offensive efficiency groups in the MAC.

Mitchell earned his coaching start at Kenyon College from 2018-20 working with the wide receivers and the running backs. He helped implement and run individual position drills, as well as created scouting reports and analysis of the opposing linebackers and special teams.

Mitchell posted a two-year playing career at Division III Kenyon College earning Scout Team Captain honors before his playing career ended due to three major knee surgeries.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and psychology from Kenyon College in May 2020 and completed his master’s in Sport Performance Program from Western Michigan in May 2022.

Logan Hale | Recruiting Coordinator

Hale joins the Indiana State football team as the defensive ends coach in the spring 2023 following coaching stints at Ball State, Indianapolis, and Franklin College.

Hale worked primarily with the defensive line and inside linebackers during his time at Ball State. Over his tenure he was responsible for opponent run game and pass protection breakdown, as well as coached individual positions on both the BSU kickoff and kickoff return teams. Additionally, he worked from the coaches box diagnosing and communicating personnel, calls, and opponent run plays, while working with special teams substitutions and formations.

Prior to his time at BSU, Hale coached two years at the University of Indianapolis (2020-22) as the outside linebacker coach. Hale directed position meetings and handled all responsibilities for the unit as well as working with opponent run game and pass protection breakdown. During his time at Indianapolis, the Greyhounds were the top-ranked Great Lakes Valley Conference defense in the spring of 2021 leading the way in yards per game, rushing yards per game, passing yards per game, and points allowed. Three linebackers earned First Team All-GLVC honors during his coaching tenure.

Hale’s first coaching stint came at Franklin College where he served as the inside linebackers coach from 2019-2020. He managed the quality control team at Franklin in addition to running position meetings and handling all linebacker film grading responsibilities. Franklin boasted the top run defense in the HCAC during his tenure and he coached Second Team All-HCAC selection Brayton Shannon.

Hale was a four-year letter winner with the Franklin College football team and a two-year letter winner on the Franklin Track & Field program. He earned All-Conference honorable mention honors in 2018 and was a member of the Franklin Football Leadership Council.

He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in elementary education in May 2018.

Joseph Seymour | Assistant Coach / Special Teams Coordinator

Joe Seymour joined the ISU staff in January 2024. By way of the University of North Dakota where he spent the previous six years. In his six years at UND, Seymour served with the Special Teams and Offensive staff in both an intern and Graduate Assistant Role.

At UND Seymour was a part of UND’s first Missouri Valley Football Conference Championship Team in Spring 2021.

Seymour helped oversee Punt Return units that ranked in the Top 10 in Blocked Punts for four of six seasons at UND. This included 2 Blocks for Touchdowns in the 2022 season alone.

In 2023, Seymour helped UND achieve the top Kickoff Return Unit in the FCS. Averiging 27 yards per Return. Highlighted by First Team all-conference return specialist Luke Skokna, who scored one of UND's two Kickoff Return Touchdowns.

Received a bachelor’s degree from UND in Secondary Education in 2022, will receive his Masters in Kinesiology in May of 2024.

Mike Simmonds | Assistant Coach / Run Game Coordinator / Offensive Line

Indiana State welcomed back ISU Hall of Famer Mike Simmonds to the coaching staff in January 2024. The long-time coach enters his 31st year of coaching overall and 19th at the collegiate level after he returned to the Sycamores by way of UTEP, Northern Iowa, Eastern Illinois, North Texas, and South Florida.

Mike Simmonds wrapped up  his sixth campaign as UTEP's offensive line coach in 2023 and was named the 2023 Conference USA Offensive Line Coach of the Year after featuring nine different starting combinations on the season. The group featured the C-USA Offensive Tackle of the Year (Zuri Henry) and Center of the Year (Andrew Meyer) and was an experienced unit with over 120 combined starts. From 2019-2023, 13 UTEP offensive linemen finished on the C-USA All-Conference teams. Over the last three seasons, the offensive line blocked for three different 1,000-yard receivers, averaged over 2,000 rushing yards per year, and 4,000 yards of total offense per season.

Prior to UTEP, Simmonds coached at Northern Iowa where he was the offensive line coach/co-offensive coordinator. Northern Iowa led the nation (FCS) in red zone offense, converting on 92 percent of its opportunities (51 att., 31 TD, 16 FG). UNI averaged 29.4 points per game in 2017, while averaging 354.7 yards of total offense in 13 games (8-5 overall record). The Panthers also averaged 235.6 passing yards per contest. Panthers quarterbacks combined for 3,063 yards on 255-of-408 passing (62.5 percent), 28 passing scores and only 12 interceptions. WR Daurice Fountain (66 rec., 943 yards, 12 TD) was named 2017 MVFC All-Conference first team, while OL Lee Carhart was named 2017 MVFC All-Conference second team. TE Briley Moore (38 rec., 494 yards) and RB Marcus Weymiller (200 att., 809 yards, eight TDs) earned honorable mention All-League recognition. Northern Iowa’s time of possession (32:05) ranked second in the Missouri Valley Conference.

In 2016, Simmonds directed the offensive line at Eastern Illinois. Tackle Evan Kanz earned second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, helping a group that carved holes for the OVC’s leading rusher, Devin Church, to run through. The offensive line finished the 2016 season ranked 36th in the FCS in fewest sacks allowed.

Simmonds coached at North Texas from 2011-15, as the Mean Green transitioned from the Sun Belt Conference to Conference USA. Employing a physical style of play at the offensive line position, Simmonds' group paved the way to three 2,000-yard rushing seasons in five years with the team falling just short of that mark in 2015, averaging 158.7 yards per game on the ground.

In 2014, the Mean Green ranked first in the nation in red zone offense with the team rushing for 21 touchdowns, eighth-most in program history. The team was anchored by one of the best lineman in school history, as Cyril Lemon earned his fourth straight All-Conference honor on the offensive line. Lemon was the only player in the nation to start 49 straight games and earn four consecutive All-Conference honors.

In 2013 North Texas posted three 300-yard rushing games, as Simmonds' offensive line group had seven such performances during his time on the staff.  The 2013 team finished the year with 2,349 yards, the eighth-most in school history, as it posted a 9-4 record, winning the Heart of Dallas Bowl over UNLV. That group was one of the best in nation in terms of protecting the quarterback as they finished seventh among FBS teams in fewest sacks allowed.

Over a two-year span North Texas twice ranked in the top-10 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed with 17 during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. In 2012, North Texas played nine of its 12 games without allowing a sack.  On the ground, the offensive line helped three running backs finish with more than 500 yards for the first time in school history in 2012.

During his stint at North Texas, Simmonds coached eight players to All-Conference honors with his group blocking for the school’s all-time leading rusher Lance Dunbar. In 2011, the offensive line led the way for Dunbar’s school record-setting performance of 313 yards against Middle Tennessee.

Prior to joining the staff at North Texas, Simmonds coached one season at Indiana State, helping the Sycamores post a 6-5 record for the program’s first winning season since 1996. Prior to the six wins, ISU had won two games in the previous five seasons.

Simmonds was on the staff at South Florida from 2006-09.  In his first season he worked as a graduate assistant coach before taking over offensive line duties in 2007. During his time with the USF program, the Bulls led the Big East Conference in total offense in 2008, averaging 405.0 yards per game. The team was third in the conference in rushing offense at 165.4 yards per game. During his three seasons as a full-time coach USF was nationally ranked during each season, climbing as high as No. 2 in the national polls during the 2007 campaign. All four years on the staff USF played in a bowl game, with appearances in the PapaJohns.com Bowl, Sun Bowl, St. Petersburg Bowl and International Bowl. USF was 3-1 in bowl games with Simmonds on the staff with 34 overall wins.

A graduate of Indiana State, Simmonds started 46 games in his career, earning I-AA All-American honors. He was a member of the Sycamores' 1983 and 1984 FCS playoff teams. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL Draft. Simmonds played four seasons in the NFL with Tampa Bay and San Diego. He started at offensive guard for Tampa Bay in 1989, part of an offense that earned NFC Players of the Week in a game against Chicago.

Following his professional career, Simmonds was a successful high school coach in the Tampa area before joining the USF staff. He coached six years as an assistant at Hillsborough HS, helping the team win 54 games. From 1998-2005 he was the head coach at Jefferson HS in Tampa, posting a 75-29 overall record. He coached in FHSAA State Championship Games three times in 1996, 2002 and 2004.

Simmonds was inducted into the Indiana State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.  He was named to both the Gateway Conference 20th Anniversary Team and the Gateway Conference All-Decade Team (1980’s).

He and his wife, Jamie, have three daughters – Amanda, Lauren and Emily.

Adam Dennison | Director of Operations

Adam Dennison was promoted to director of football operations in February of 2020 after serving as director of player personnel for two seasons.

His duties include team travel, day-to-day operations, and serving as a liaison between the football program and academic services, compliance, training, equipment, strength and conditioning, and the athletic department.

As the director of player personnel, Dennison helped aid the recruiting efforts for the 2018 recruiting class for the Sycamores in which the Indiana State signed over 30 scholarship student athletes including 12 from the state of Indiana, six junior college transfers, two FBS transfers, and a foreign student from Finland. He has also been given a role in junior college relations for the Sycamores staff.

Continuing his role in junior college relations, the 2019 recruiting class features four transfers including three junior college and one FBS player joining the program. Of the 18 players in the 2019 class, nine hail from Indiana or Illinois and 16 are from the Midwest. With local recruiting efforts being emphasized, the Sycamore roster now features 44 players from the state of Indiana and 62 total players between Illinois and Indiana.

Before his time at Indiana State, he spent a season with the Kennesaw State University football program as a recruiting/operations intern. Prior to KSU, he spent four years working in athletics/rec operations and gameday operations at Kennesaw State.

Dennison graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2016 with a bachelor’s of science in sport management and is a native of Cartersville, Ga.

Adam Cox | Assistant Coach / Safeties

Adam Cox joins the ISU staff in the summer of 2024 as the Sycamores safeties coach following a graduate assistant stint with the University of Iowa football program assisting with the Hawkeye defense. He was a UI fullback during his playing career lettering in both 2013 and 2015.

In 2023, the Hawkeyes won 10 games, including their final four, to capture the Big Ten West Division for the second time in three years and finished the season ranked No. 24.

The Hawkeyes ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense (14.8) and passing efficiency defense (102.1), fifth in passing yards per game (170.7), and seventh in total defense (282.5) in 2023. DB Cooper DeJean was honored as the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. DeJean was also recognized as a unanimous consensus All-American and was a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy.

Iowa’s defense led the way in 2022, winning eight games, including five of their final six games. Iowa’s defense was in the top 12 in the nation in scoring defense (second), total defense (second), pass efficiency defense (fourth), passing yards per game (sixth), first down defense (10th), third down defense (11th) and rushing defense (12th).

The Hawkeyes won 10 games in 2021, winning the Big Ten West Division title and advancing to the conference championship game. Iowa concluded the season with an appearance in the Citrus Bowl and was ranked 23rd in the final national rankings. DB Riley Moss was honored as the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. Moss, defensive back Dane Belton, and linebacker Jack Campbell all earned first-team All-Big Ten honors.

Iowa’s defense set a school record and led the nation with 25 interceptions in 2021. The defense ranked among national leaders in takeaways (30, third), defensive touchdowns scored (four, seventh), pass efficiency defense (110.5, sixth), turnover margin (0.8, 11th), rushing defense (114.4, 13th), scoring defense (19.2, 13th), and total defense (328.8, 18th).

Cox returned to Iowa after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Central Michigan. He worked with the defensive secondary and special teams in 2018 and 2019 before coaching linebackers in 2020. Central Michigan won the MAC West Division in 2019 and competed in the New Mexico Bowl.

As a fullback for the Hawkeyes, Cox saw action in all 14 games in 2015 as the Hawkeyes posted a 12-2 overall record and won the Big Ten West Division. Iowa dropped a last-minute decision to Michigan State in the Big Ten championship game and earned a trip to the 2016 Rose Bowl. Cox missed the 2014 season due to injury.

Cox was a member of the Leadership Group as a senior in 2015 and was awarded the Brett Greenwood Award following the season. He earned Academic All-Big Ten honors as a senior as well.

Cox joined the program as a walk-on after attending Stillman Valley (Illinois) High School. He was put on scholarship prior to the 2014 season. He saw action in all 13 games in 2013, with three starts.

Cox earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa in Health and Human Physiology. He is a native of Stillman Valley, Illinois.

Mark Smith | Defensive Assistant Coach

Mark Smith returned to his longtime home of Terre Haute as assistant head coach and defensive line coach prior to the 2017 season.

Under Smith, senior defensive tackle Rex Mosley earned Preseason All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades in 2018 and went on to finish his career as one of the most consistent run stoppers on the defensive line. Defensive lineman Inoke Moala was named All-MVFC Honorable Mention following the 2019 season. Moala would go on to lead the MVFC in both sacks and tackles for loss in the 2021 regular season on his way to earning First Team All-Conference honors. 

Smith was a prominent defensive coach for the Sycamores from 1988-2002, working as the special teams coordinator, defensive line and inside linebackers coach before two seasons as the defensive coordinator in 2001 and 2002. Smith was also an assistant coach at Rose-Hulman in 1986-87 before moving across town to Indiana State, where he helped guide the Engineers to a 1986 conference title.

Prior to coming to Terre Haute to coach at Rose-Hulman and Indiana State, Smith was an assistant coach at Bowling Green from 1982-85. Smith was on two staffs that took the Falcons to conference titles and California Bowl trips in 1982 and 1985.

During his career at Indiana State, Smith coached several defensive units that gained national acclaim while coaching 14 all-conference players and six All-Americans – including NFL Draft pick Dan Brandenburg, who played in 42 games in three seasons with the Buffalo Bills from 1997-99.

Smith left Indiana State in 2003 to join Brady Hoke’s staff at Ball State, starting a relationship that would carry him on his next two stops. At Ball State, Smith was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2003-08. In 2008, the Cardinals were nationally ranked and went 12-1 overall, ending with a trip to the 2008 GMAC Bowl. That season, Smith’s defense ranked 29th nationally in scoring defense, 28th in tackles for loss and 38th in opposing pass efficiency. That same year, Smith helped mentor MAC Freshman of the Year, Sean Baker.

Ball State also went to the 2007 International Bowl with Smith on staff.

Smith followed Hoke out to San Diego State in 2009 and 2010, eventually taking the Aztecs to the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl.

From there, Smith was brought on with Hoke at Michigan from 2011-14, where he was the Wolverines’ linebackers coach from 2011-13 and the defensive line coach in 2014. In Ann Arbor, Smith was part of three Michigan teams that went to bowl games in 2011 (Sugar Bowl), 2012 (Outback Bowl) and 2013 (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl).

In 2011, Smith's group helped the Wolverines to an 11-2 record and a Sugar Bowl victory. U-M's defense ranked second in the Big Ten and sixth in the FBS in scoring defense, surrendering only 17.4 points per game. The Wolverines defense also ranked third in the conference in rushing defense (131.7 yards per game), fourth in total yards per game (322.2) and fifth in passing defense (190.5 ypg). The linebackers also contributed to a conference best 29 turnovers forced and FBS-best 20 fumbles recovered.

The 2012 group was led by All-Big Ten second team linebacker Jake Ryan's 88 tackles, 16.0 stops for loss, 4.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, while Kenny Demens had 82 tackles, including six tackles for loss and Morgan had 81 stops, 5.5 for loss. The linebacking corps in 2012 helped U-M limit opponents to 19.8 points per game, fourth in the Big Ten and 20th nationally, and 320.0 total yards per game, second in the conference and 13th in the country.

Smith's unit produced two of the Wolverines' top three leading tacklers in 2013 in James Ross III (85 tackles) and Desmond Morgan (79 tackles) and the team's top three tackles leaders in 2012.

Smith’s 2014 season was highlighted by second-round NFL Draft pick defensive end Frank Clark, who posted 42 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, two PBU and a fumble recovery during his final year.

Smith has spent the last two seasons in 2015 and 2016 at Division II Florida Tech, where he served as the associate head coach and defensive line coach both years and the defensive coordinator in 2016.

Smith began his coaching career at Defiance High School in Ohio after graduating from Purdue with a bachelor’s in 1979 and a master’s from Bowling Green in 1983. Smith and his wife, Kim, have three children: Heather, Eric and Craig.

Ryan Cook | Defensive Assistant

 

Matthew Boyle | Offensive Assistant Coach