SAMFORD UNIVERSITY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Head
- Title / Head Coach
Al DelGreco is entering his seventh season as the head men's golf coach at Samford University. A natural leader and winner at every level of his famed career, DelGreco has made significant improvements in the program in his first three seasons.
DelGreco was officially announced as Samford's head coach on May 2, 2014, as the former NFL star, Golf Channel celebrity and radio personality took over the reins of the Bulldogs' program heading into the 2014-15 season.
In his time at the helm of the program, DelGreco has led the Bulldogs to 10 top-five finishes, including winning the 2016 Folino Classic. During the 2019-20 campaign, DelGrco's squad posted three top-five finishes, despite the season being shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
DelGreco, a 1987 graduate of Auburn University, spent 17 seasons as a placekicker in the NFL and finished his illustrious professional career with a total of 1,592 points. As of his retirement in 2001, he was ranked No. 11 on the NFL's list of all-time leading scorers. Nicknamed "Automatic Al", DelGreco was inducted in the Alabama Hall of Fame in 2003.
In 2011, DelGreco was awarded the Legend of Birmingham Award by the organizers of the Birmingham Bowl. Last year, he was featured in a Golf Channel reality show, Big Break, where he captained a team of former NFL players in a benefit golf tournament held in Puerto Rico.
Additionally, DelGreco serves as a long-time radio personality and co-host of The Opening Drive, a highly-rated morning show which airs live Monday-Friday on Birmingham's WJOX 94.5 FM, a roll he has continued as head coach at Samford.
A four-year letterman at Auburn, DelGreco completed 110 out of 111 PATs in his college career. He also set the Southeastern Conference record for field goal attempts in a game and field goals made in a game when he made six out of his seven attempts against Kentucky in 1983.
An accomplished golfer, DelGreco boasts a +1 handicap and registered 10 career top-10 finishes at the American Century Championship, including eight straight top-10s from 1998-2005. He also earned the championship title at the 2000 American Century Championship by carding a 7-under par 65, which proved to be the lowest score ever posted in the Celebrity Championship.
DelGreco was a five-time winner in the NFL Division of the Champions Tour Cadillac NFL Classic and played in two Web.com Tour events (2001, 2003). He was recently featured on the Golf Channel's 2013 edition of Big Break NFL Puerto Rico.
DelGreco recently spent over eight years as the head boys' golf coach at Spain Park High School in Hoover where he led the Jaguars to three-consecutive 6A Alabama state championship titles, including a trio of individual state champions. DelGreco's son, Trey, was a member of the Spain Park golf team and earned a scholarship to play four seasons at Vanderbilt University.
Raised in Miami, Fla., DelGreco played a large variety of sports throughout the years. His grade school soccer team won a state title and he competed in both soccer and football at Coral Gables High School before earning a scholarship from Auburn University.
In his 17-year NFL career, DelGreco played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Houston Oilers (later the Tennessee Titans) from 1984 to 2000. He played in some of the most famous games in NFL lore during his career, including "The Comeback," the "Music City Miracle," and "The Tackle."
Job Titles:
- Director of Student - Athlete Academic Services
Job Titles:
- Assistant to Operations and Video
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Cornerbacks
Job Titles:
- Director of Equipment Services
- Title / Director of Equipment Services
"Bucky McMillan has proven himself over the last few years to be one of the finest young coaching minds and tacticians in basketball regardless of level. Without question, he demands a high level of execution, team work and togetherness. It's been very impressive to see how he develops young people into a cohesive and team-first culture. I think Samford fans will be very excited and energized by Bucky and his program's upside and energy as he builds forward."
Talaganis previously served as the athletic trainer for baseball at High Point University from 2019-2022. She has a wide variety of experience covering multiple sports including baseball, basketball, and hockey.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Baseball )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Volleyball / Women 's Tennis )
Anna Bolton joined the Samford Sports Medicine staff in 2022 and serves as the athletic trainer for the volleyball and women's tennis teams. A seasoned veteran with the Bulldogs, Anna was awarded her master's degree in Athletic Training from Samford University while completing clinical rotations with the women's soccer program.
She previously served as an Intern Athletic Trainer with the indoor and beach volleyball teams at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Bolton is happy to return to her alma matter and hometown.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sports Medicine - Athletic Trainer ( Soccer / Women 's Golf )
Anne Westbrook Gay began working with Samford athletics in July 2017. She began her career as an intern athletic trainer for the cross country and track & field teams, as well as assisting with football. In 2018, she shifted roles as an assistant athletic trainer for the soccer and women's tennis teams, then soccer and women's golf in 2021. Anne transitioned to the Director of Sports Medicine for Olympic Sports in September 2022, while continuing to serve the women's soccer and women's golf programs. She is also an athletics representative on the Samford CARES team.
Prior to her arrival at Samford, she earned her Master's degree in Athletic Training from the University of Arkansas in 2017. During her time at Arkansas, she completed her graduate assistantship with track & field, gymnastics, baseball, and Springdale High School football. Anne worked as an intern at EXOS training facility in Gulf Breeze, Florida during the summer of 2016. She gained hands on experience providing care to injured military personnel, professional, collegiate, and high school athletes.
She holds several professional certifications and licenses, including Licensed Athletic Trainer from the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers (LAT); Certified Athletic Trainer from the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (ATC); and American Heart Association CPR/AED for Healthcare Providers.
A native of Ojai, California, Anne received her Bachelor of Science from Auburn University in 2014. She resides in Birmingham with her husband Michael and dogs Russell and Ky
Job Titles:
- Associate AD for Marketing, Communications and Broadcast
- Marketing and Communications
B.J. Millican is in his first year as Associate AD for Marketing, Communications and Broadcasting.
Millican, who was hired at Samford University in December of 2014, previously worked as Art Director & Graphic Designer for the Bulldogs athletics department. He also served the University as the Assistant Director of Broadcast Media and later the Director of Broadcast Media in the Office of Marketing and Communication.
Millican's graphic design work has been nationally recognized by digital and design strategy company, SkullSparks, regularly landing on Top 25 lists for the best in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) design. In 2018, he helped Samford garner a Top 10 spot for FCS content. He produces and creates print, website and digital content for Samford's social media channels.
Millican has also been recognized nationally for his video content, earning recognition from the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA), the Baptist Communicators Association (BCA), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He co-produced the video "Devlin Hodges' Duck Tales: A Quest for the Walter Payton Award" which won the Gold Award for Best Digital Video Segment from NACMA in 2019.
Before coming to Samford, Millican spent 11 years in local broadcast television as a sports producer and anchor at WIAT-TV (CBS42) in Birmingham and WVUA-TV in Tuscaloosa.
Millican earned his Bachelor's of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Samford University in December of 2020. He later earned his Master's in Sport Management at the University of Florida.
Millican is a native of Birmingham and he and his wife, Becky, have three children.
Tony David, a long-time associate head coach at Samford, enters his third season as the program's head coach.
"When thinking of the monumental task of replacing Casey as our head baseball coach, the one phrase that kept popping in my head was, ‘earned not given,'" Newton said. "That is exactly what Tony David has done. He has earned the right with his loyalty, dedication and hard work to become the next head coach of our baseball program."
David served on the Samford staff for the past 17 seasons, including the last 16 as associate head coach. David also served as the program's recruiting coordinator from 2005 to 2017.
"Tony has played an integral role the last 17 seasons in building Samford baseball in to the successful program it is today and I'm proud and happy for him and his family that he will be our next coach to continue and grow upon that success," Newton said. "He has a great love and understanding of the Christian mission of our university, our student-athletes and the Birmingham community, and the respect of our baseball alums, current student-athletes and staff."
"I want to thank President Beck Taylor, Martin Newton, Bo Kerr and other members of the Samford leadership for this tremendous opportunity as well as the speed in which this transition is happening," David said. "I fell in love with Samford University a long time ago and it has only intensified yearly. The relationships, staff and alumni…there is just no place like Samford. Our guys will continue to perform at a high level on the field, in the classroom and community as we continue with the main charge of Samford's mission for all students."
"There's not a strong enough word to describe how excited my family and I are about this moment," David said. "We have made the decision over the years to stay here, hoping for this. I have had the wonderful opportunity to play a role in what we have built here over the years, and our staff will keep it moving forward."
David has been extremely instrumental in the school-record 561 wins amassed during the past 18 seasons. The Bulldogs posted 13 30-win seasons during that span, including the only two 40-win seasons in program history. David also helped the program to the 2006 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title, as well as the 2012, 2018 and 2021 Southern Conference Tournament championships and 2019 SoCon regular-season title.
The Bulldogs made history in David's second season at the helm in 2023, becoming the first team to capture both the Southern Conference Regular-Season and Tournament Titles since joining the league in 2008. David's squad tallied their most wins since 2019, finishing 37-25 overall and 15-6 in conference play. Samford captured its third SoCon Tournament Title in five years in improbable fashion, winning three win-or-go-home contests on the final day of the tournament on Saturday, May 27 to clinch a championship. Josh Rodriguez and Heath Clevenger, whose 6.2 innings of one-run baseball on the mound in the championship game earned him Tournament Most Outstanding Player, were both named to the All-Tournament Team. The Bulldogs made noise in their NCAA Regional play, knocking off No. 13 ranked Southern Miss 4-2 in 10 innings in the opening round of the Auburn Region to capture their fourth regional win in program history.
Five Bulldogs garnered Southern Conference Postseason accolades in 2023, headlined by David earning SoCon Coach of the Year, Jacob Cravey winning Pitcher of the Year, Lucas Steele garnering Coaches Freshman of the Year, and Jayden Davis taking home Media Freshman of the Year. Cravey and Davis were both named to the Coaches and Media First Team while John Anderson picked up Media Team First Team Honors and Coaches Second Team honors. Junior reliever Ben Petschke was named to the Coaches Second team while Davis and Steele both were tabbed to the SoCon All-Freshman squad. Davis and Steele were both named to the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American Team while Cravey was selected to the Collegiate Baseball All-America Second Team and NCBWA and ABCA/Rawlings All-America Second Team.
Job Titles:
- Associate Head Coach
- Title / Associate Head Coach
Before COVID-19 ended the 2019-2020 season, Sabin helped lead the Viteos NUC in Neuchatel, SUI to the 2019 Super Cup Title, a CEV Cup appearance, a semi-finalist spot in the Swiss Playoffs and the finals of the Swiss Cup Finals as an assistant volleyball coach. During his time in Switzerland, Sabin was the head coach for the M17 Junior Team, leading them to a 3-0 record in the first round and qualified for the second round of Swiss Volley Junior Championships on March 15, 2020.
Throughout his successful career in the volleyball community, Sabin has scouted many opponents and prepared scouting reports using advanced DataVolley, Volleymetrics and statistical breakdown. He has prepared and presented video sessions to teams regarding the reports, opponent player analysis, and individual feedback on training and practices. Sabin served as a camp coordinator, managing all aspects of volleyball camps including paperwork, hiring coaches, budget, agenda, and drill development, including directing satellite camps at multiple high schools.
Sabin has been a volleyball coach since 2009, playing the role of head men's coach at Wapahani High School from 2009 to 2015, volunteer assistant coach at University of Illinois from 2012 to 2013, and assistant coach at Texas A&M International University from 2015 to 2016. Sabin served as the Indiana Boys Volleyball Coaches Association President from 2014 to 2018.
He graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana with a Masters of Arts in Sports Administration in May of 2015. Sabin is married to fellow assistant coach Sabel Sabin.
Job Titles:
- Athletic Trainer
- Head
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Men's Basketball / Men 's Golf )
- Reviewer for the NATA Annual Symposium
After 30 years at the University of West Alabama serving as the Head Athletic Trainer, Brad Montgomery is beginning his third year as the Athletic Trainer for the Men's Basketball and Men's Golf teams at Samford University
He is a 1989 graduate of the University of North Alabama with a B.S. in Physical Education and Biology, later earning an M.A.T. in Physical Education from UWA in 1992.
The Florence, AL native and Wilson High School alumnus is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and a licensed athletic trainer by the state of Alabama. Montgomery has also served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Athletic Training as well as a Preceptor in UWA's CAATE accredited athletic training program.
In addition to his numerous academic and professional achievements, Montgomery is currently an abstract reviewer for the NATA Annual Symposium as well as a member of the SEATA History and Archives Committee, after having completed terms as a member of the NATA Convention Program Committee, the Chairman of the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers, the President of the Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association, a member of the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers, and a member of the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Executive Board. Additionally, he received the 2008 National Athletic Trainers' Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, the 2007 Award of Merit, the highest honor presented by the Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association, after previously receiving the award in 2003. In 2016, he was inducted into the UWA Athletics Hall of Fame after being inducted to the Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame in 2015. Montgomery was presented with the 2007 SEATA Executive Board Leadership and Contribution Award and was given the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers Service Award for the years of 2003-2006. He has also been named to the "Outstanding Young Men of America" four times (1996-1999). Montgomery has also been selected to provide several professional presentations for the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association, Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association, Mississippi Athletic Trainers' Association, and several private rehabilitation companies. He has also served as a case study discussant at the NATA Annual Convention on multiple occasions. He worked annually on the athletic training staff of the Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic in Montgomery, AL from 1983-1992. Montgomery is married to former Janet Koenig, Associate Athletic Director/ Senior Women's Administrator at UWA. They have one son, Brock 27, and one daughter, Jade 2.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Linebackers
Brandon Cooper enters his second season at Samford. He is responsible for coaching the team's linebackers.
In 2022, his first season at Samford, Cooper helped lead a much-improved defense that helped the Bulldogs to their best season in over 30 years, posting a record of 11-2 overall and 8-0 in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs won the program's first outright SoCon title and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991. One of the leaders of the defense was linebacker Nathan East, who was named second team All-SoCon.
Cooper served as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach at UNC Charlotte from 2019 to 2021. In Cooper's first year with the 49ers, he helped Charlotte to school records for wins (7), C-USA wins (5) and winning streak (5 games) while the 49ers earned a trip to their first bowl game: the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.
Cooper joined APSU after a year at Murray State after a two-year stint at Chattanooga. In those two years, the Mocs went 18-8 with a 13-2 mark in the Southern Conference. In 2013, the Mocs led the Southern Conference in total defense, passing defense and scoring defense. In 2014, on its way to an unbeaten 7-0 league mark, the Mocs ranked in the FCS Top 15 in total defense, pass defense and scoring defense.
Bucky McMillan enters his fourth season as head coach of the Samford University Men's Basketball team. McMillan was named Samford's 29 th head men's basketball coach April 6, 2020.
The Bulldogs reached new heights under McMillan in year three, clinching their first Southern Conference Championship since joining the league in 2008 with a 15-3 conference record that earned them a share of the regular-season crown. For the first time in program history, the Bulldogs achieved 20 regular-season wins in consecutive seasons while also matching the 1998-99 team for most conference wins in a season. It marked just the fourth time in program history that the Bulldogs won 20 games in a season. McMillan earned SoCon Sports Media Association Anton Foy Coach of the Year for the second-straight year, while Logan Dye, Ques Glover, and Jermaine Marshall all garnered All-SoCon postseason accolades. Samford posted a record of 13-3 at home, including a mark of 8-1 in league play. The Bulldogs averaged 81.4 points per game and posted a +12.7 scoring margin in games played in the Pete Hanna Center. The Bulldogs opened up SoCon play 8-0, highlighted by nationally-televised home wins over Mercer (Dec. 28) and Chattanooga (Jan. 14) on ESPNU. The Bulldogs won seven of their last eight games of the regular season to finish tied with Furman at 15-3 in league play to earn the No. 2 seed in the SoCon Postseason Tournament. Statistically, the Bulldogs made the second-most free throws per game (17.7) while averaging the fifth-most free throw attempts (23.6) in the nation. The Bulldogs ranked 28th in the nation in scoring offense (78.7 PPG) while ranking 20th in the country in bench points per game (26.53).
Year two under McMillan in 2021-22 served as one of the Bulldogs' most successful seasons in recent history. For the first time since the 1998-99 campaign, Samford men's hoops tallied 20 regular-season wins. McMillan's squad added 15 wins from the previous season, finishing 21-11. The Bulldogs posted a 10-8 mark in conference play, earning them the no. 3 seed in the SoCon Championship before eventually falling in the tournament semifinals. McMillan was named the SoCon Sports Media Association Coach of the Year while sophomore guard Ques Glover earned All-SoCon First Team honors. Glover, who ranked third in the SoCon in scoring average (19.2 PPG) and second in assists per game (4.4) in 2021-22, was also named to the SoCon All-Tournament First Team and a finalist for the Lou Henson Award. The Bulldogs notched a pair of road wins at power-five opponents, knocking off Oregon State 78-77 on Nov. 18 and besting Ole Miss 75-73 on Dec. 21. The Bulldogs drew two of their largest home attendances in recent years in 2021-22, totaling 2,876 attendees against Belmont on Dec. 5 and 2,512 against Furman on Feb. 23. McMillan was named a finalist for the Hugh Durham Award on March 23, an accolade awarded annually to the top Division I mid-major coach in college basketball.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
Samford Baseball Head Coach Tony David announced on Monday, July 3 the return of Cam Shepherd to the coaching staff as assistant coach.
Shepherd is heading into his second season on Coach David's coaching staff and will be adding recruiting duties to his list of responsibilities in 2023-24 while also handling the outfield coaching duties and assisting with the infielders and all hitters.
"Cam did an incredible job for us in his first year with our program and played a key role in our success," Coach David said. "Right out of the gate, he over a significant portion of the hitting duties and helped with the defensive instruction of both the infield and outfielders. He has proven to be a perfect fit for our program, university, and culture as a team."
Shepherd arrived at Samford in the fall of 2022 after serving as an assistant coach with the Gainesville Gol'Diggers of the Sunbelt Baseball League that summer, a collegiate summer league based out of Georgia and Alabama. Under Shepherd's tutelage, the Gol'Diggers have posted a league-best .767 winning percentage while clinching the east division with a record of 23-7.
A four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection, Shepherd started and played in all 198 games for the Bulldogs during his four-year tenure in Athens. He posted a .261 batting average with 45 doubles, five triples, 22 home runs, and 119 runs batted in.
Shepherd compiled a .970 career fielding percentage at Georgia, which serves as the highest career fielding percentage in program history by a shortstop. The Duluth, Ga. native set the single-season Bulldog record in 2019 for fielding percentage by a shortstop at .987, earning him SEC All-Defensive Team honors and an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award as the nation's top Division I shortstop. He became the first shortstop to go the entire 30-game league schedule and not make an error since the SEC recognized an All-Defensive Team starting in 2008. In that 2019 season, Shepherd fielded 1.000 in 109 total chances against SEC opponents.
In his career, Shepherd has been drafted twice. He was a 20th-round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019 but opted to return to UGA for his senior season. Following his senior year at Peachtree Ridge High School, he was the 29th-round selection of the Boston Red Sox in the 2016 MLB Draft.
In 2020, Shepherd signed with the Atlanta Braves but was unable to play until the 2021 season due to COVID-19. Shepherd played one season with the Augusta Greenjackets before retiring from professional baseball.
Shepherd's work ethic stood out in the hiring process for Coach David. "I knew going in he was an incredible player at Georgia, but one thing that stood out was that he was a four-year SEC Academic Honor Roll guy. He is intelligent and took pride in his success on and off the field. He comes highly recommended for how hard he works, and his demeanor will be a great fit for our players and staff."
Job Titles:
- Business Operations Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Track & Field / Cross Country )
Cameron McKinley joined the Samford Sports Medicine staff in 2023. He serves as the Athletic Trainer for the Bulldogs cross country and track and field teams.
McKinley earned his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science with a medical emphasis from Carson-Newman University in 2018 and earned his Master's degree in Athletic Training from Lee University in 2021. He previously worked for the Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Cleveland, Tennessee where he worked in the clinic under an orthopedic surgeon and also managed the healthcare for Ocoee Middle School Athletics.
Job Titles:
- Associate Head Coach
- Title / Associate Head Coach
Carl Goody enters his third season on the women's soccer coaching staff in 2023, and his second as the Associate Head Coach.
In his second year with the Bulldogs, Goody helped lead the team to an overall record of 11-4-7 and a ninth-consecutive SoCon championship. The Bulldogs also won the SoCon Tournament and earned an NCAA bid for the third time in four seasons, while also cracking the Top 25 for the first time in program history.
Working primarily with the goalkeepers, Goody was instrumental in the breakthrough of redshirt-freshman Emma Donley, who replaced an injured Morgan McAslan and helped the Bulldogs advance over UNCG on penalty kicks in the SoCon Tournament championship, earning Tournament MVP honors in the process.
In his first season at Samford in 2021, serving as an assistant coach, he helped lead the program to a 16-3-3 record, including a perfect 9-0 mark in SoCon play. The Bulldogs won the SoCon Tournament and earned the program's first outright win in the NCAA Tournament with a 2-0 victory at Auburn.
Prior to Samford, Goody was a member of the UTSA staff for the 2020 season where he served as the goalkeepers coach.
Before his time with the Roadrunners, Carl Goody spent six years with LSU, five as an assistant and one as a volunteer. With the Tigers, his primary responsibility was working with the defensive unit. In 2018, the LSU staff was named the United Soccer Coaches Southeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year after claiming the SEC Tournament Championship and reaching the NCAA Round of 32.
In his first year as an assistant coach, the Tigers made it to the SEC Tournament Semifinals as well as the NCAA Round of 64.
Over the course of his time in Louisiana, Goody's players attained a multitude of awards, including, All-SEC First and Second Team, All-SEC Freshman Team, Southeast All-Region First Team, Third Team All-American, SEC Tournament MVP, Second Team Academic All-American and SEC All-Tournament Team.
Prior to LSU, Goody worked as a graduate assistant with the men's and women's soccer programs at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi from 2012-13. In 2013, the women's team reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NAIA National Tournament after an undefeated Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) season.
Goody earned a bachelor's degree in health and physical education, while also obtaining a master's degree in counseling psychology from William Carey.
Carley Kuhns was officially named Samford's third head women's basketball coach on April 10, 2019.
In Kuhns' third season as the head Bulldog, Samford finished with a 13-17 overall record and made a SoCon semifinal appearance.
Kuhns second season at the helm of Samford Women's Basketball was just as memorable as her first, as the Bulldogs marched to an 11-2 record in Southern Conference play and their second-straight regular season league championship which led to a trip to the WNIT in Memphis. While the Bulldogs finished the year 14-11 overall, Samford played one of its most difficult schedules in program history in the midst of a global pandemic. On the road to the league title, Andrea Cournoyer was named SoCon Player of the Year and a unanimous All-SoCon first team selection while Natalie Armstrong was named All-SoCon as well.
In her first season as Samford's head coach in 2019-20, Kuhns engineered a dramatic turnaround in the program. After winning just 10 games the season before, the Bulldogs went 18-14 in Kuhns' debut season. Despite being picked seventh in the Southern Conference's preseason polls, the Bulldogs won a share of the SoCon regular-season title, the first in the history of the program. Samford then won the SoCon Tournament for just the third time in program history. With the SoCon Tournament title, the Bulldogs earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, but the NCAA Tournament was eventually canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SoCon media named Kuhns the league's Co-Coach of the Year.
In that first year several players had break-out seasons under Kuhns' leadership. Natalie Armstrong was named first team All-SoCon, and she was named the Most Outstanding Player of the SoCon Tournament. Sarah Myers was also named first team All-SoCon, and she earned second team All-SoCon Tournament honors. Paige Serup was named first team All-SoCon Tournament as well.
At the time of Kuhns' hiring, Samford Director of Athletics Martin Newton talked about the qualities of Kuhns that made her the perfect candidate for the job.
"Everyone we talked to about Carley had nothing but glowing recommendations about her character, competitive yet compassionate demeanor and her ability to recruit and coach at the highest level," Newton said. "We're excited about adding Carley, her Husband Matt, and their three daughters, Carsten, Kyler and Cohen to our Samford family and look forward to the next chapter of Samford Women's Basketball."
Kuhns came to Samford after spending previous three seasons as the head coach at Valdosta State University. In her three seasons at VSU, Kuhns posted a record of 66-29. She led her teams to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2018 and one Gulf South Conference Tournament title in 2017.
"I am thrilled and excited for this next chapter in my career and incredibly grateful to President Westmoreland and Mr. Newton for this opportunity to lead Samford Women's Basketball," Kuhns said at her introductory press conference. "After being on campus and meeting a lot of people here, I knew instantly this was somewhere I could see myself coaching. Samford is a special place and offers a unique opportunity for student-athletes to excel in every facet of life. My staff and I will work hard to help our student-athletes become the best people, students and athletes they can be during their time here, and to help prepare them for life after graduating from Samford!
"I would also like to thank Valdosta State University for three amazing years," Kuhns said. "It's been an honor and a privilege to coach at my alma mater and VSU will always hold a special place in my heart."
Her 2018-19 squad finished with a record of 21-10 overall and 16-6 in GSC play. The season marked her third-straight 20-plus-win season. The team reached the finals of the GSC Tournament for the second time in her three seasons at the helm of the program.
In Kuhns' second season in 2017-18, she led the Lady Blazers to a 23-9 record in the regular season, and 15-5 in conference play. VSU made an impressive run in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet 16.
Under Kuhns' leadership, the 2016-17 season produced VSU's first 20-plus win campaign since 2011 (22-10) and the first NCAA South Regional Tournament appearance since 2010. Kuhns and the Lady Blazers claimed the program's first Gulf South Conference Tournament Championship since 1984. At the conclusion of the 2016-17 season, Kuhns was named the GSC Coach of the Year.
Under Kuhns' tutelage, Madi Mitchell became a two-time WBCA Honorable Mention All-American. During her time at VSU, Kuhns coached two first team All-GSC players, two All-Region players and one member of the GSC's All-Academic team.
Kuhns, a 2015 Valdosta State Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, took over at VSU following a six-year stint as an assistant coach at Belmont. While with the Bruins, she helped lead the program to an Ohio Valley Conference Championship in 2015-16 and the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance in the history of Bruin Basketball. During Kuhns' tenure at Belmont, she participated heavily in the program's recruiting efforts, and five of her recruits earned All-OVC recognition. In addition, Kuhns served as an academics and compliance liaison while also adding contributions with scouting, team workouts, camps and the training of perimeter players. Her efforts helped lead the Bruins to a 24-9 record in 2015-16.
Kuhns joined the Bruins' coaching staff after completing a two-year graduate assistantship at Valdosta State. While with the Lady Blazers, she assisted with various components of the program.
Kuhns was a student-athlete at Valdosta State from 2004 through 2008, earning multiple honors, including becoming the first Lady Blazer since 2001 to be named a Kodak/State Farm WBCA Honorable Mention All-American. She scored 1,133 career points, the 16th-most in program history and was a two-time First Team All-Gulf South Conference selection. Her 262 three-pointers earned her the school record in the category and placed her fifth all-time in Gulf South Conference history.
The illustrious playing career of Kuhns also helped VSU earn a trip to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 during her senior campaign with a 26-6 overall record. She led the team in scoring, averaging 10.4 points per game, and tallied a .373 shooting percentage from three-point range that season. In her career, Kuhns also accumulated 436 rebounds, 247 assists, 35 blocked shots and 245 steals.
In 2010, Kuhns was named to the prestigious Gulf South Conference All-Decade Second Team for her stellar career on the hardwood at Valdosta State.
Kuhns earned her Bachelor's in Physical Education from Valdosta State in 2008 and completed her Master's in Higher Education Leadership in 2010. She and her husband Matt, who also played basketball at Valdosta State, have three daughters, Carsten, Kyler and Cohen.
Job Titles:
- Head Cross Country Coach / Distance Track Coach
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
"I could not be more excited about Charity returning to Samford as an assistant coach. She had an exceptional career as a player that will no doubt translate to her success as a coach," Samford head coach Carley Kuhns said. "Her ability to connect with people from all different backgrounds will be a huge asset to our program. She exemplifies everything Samford Women's Basketball stands for and will be a phenomenal leader and role model for our players."
Job Titles:
- Defensive Coordinator - Safeties
Chris Boone enters the second year of his second stint on the Samford football coaching staff. Boone serves as the team's defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
Boone's 2022 defense was a major part of leading the Bulldogs to a historic season, posting a record of 11-2 and reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991. The team also went 8-0 in the Southern Conference, winning the program's first outright SoCon title. Following the season, linebacker Nathan East, defensive back Hakeem Johnson, defensive lineman Seth Simmer and defensive back Isaiah Richardson represented the defense on the All-SoCon teams.
Boone comes to Samford from East Mississippi Community College where he was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach during the 2021 season. His 2021 defense led the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 12.8 points per game, and the unit placed fourth nationally in total defense.
From 2018 to 2020, he coached the defensive line and safeties at Southern Mississippi. His 2018 defense finished third in the nation in total defense, first in first-down defense, sixth in rushing defense, ninth in team pass efficiency defense and 10th in red zone defense.
From 2015 to 2018, Boone was the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Murray State. His 2016 Racers defense led the Ohio Valley Conference in turnovers, and ranked 25th nationally in both red zone defense and turnovers forced.
Boone's first stint at Samford came in 2014 when he coached the Bulldogs' defensive line and special teams. That season, the Samford defense ranked second in the SoCon and 15th in the nation in total defense. The unit was also 16th nationally in scoring defense.
Boone came to Samford from Northwestern State, where he served as associate head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach in 2013. Boone's defense finished second in the Southland Conference in total defense in 2013. The Demons also won six games for the first time in five years.
Prior to working at Northwestern State, Boone served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Jacksonville State in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, his Jacksonville State defensive unit led the Ohio Valley Conference in red zone defense in league play. In 2011, JSU won the OVC, going 7-4 overall and 6-2 in the league. Boone's defense led the OVC with 17 interceptions and in league games, led the OVC in rush defense (144.9 ypg), third down conversion percentage (67 percent) and scoring defense (24.8 ppg). Five of his players made All-Conference in his two seasons at JSU.
From 2006 to 2010, Boone was assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Tennessee-Martin, reaching the FCS playoffs in 2006. During his time at UT-Martin, Boone helped the Skyhawks post their best five-season record (32-25) in school history. He coached two All-America linebackers in 2007 and 2008, and a 2006 Buck Buchanan Award nominee. Two of his defenses (2010, 2006) ranked in the top 12 nationally in total defense. His 2010 defense led the OVC in total defense, ranking 12th nationally. UTM led the OVC in pass defense, pass efficiency defense, fewest first downs allowed and third down conversion defense. The 2006 UTM team won the OVC and finished 9-3 with a No. 13 national ranking. Boone's defense led the OVC and finished sixth in the nation in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense, pass defense and pass efficiency defense.
Boone was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at East Central Community College from 2004 to 2005.
From 2002 to 2004, Boone coached at Nicholls State University. The 2003 Nicholls team played for the Southland Conference championship as two of Boone's linebackers earned All-Southland Conference honors for the second straight year. In 2002, Nicholls had its first winning season since 1996 (7-4) and finished with a No. 21 national ranking, leading the conference in scoring defense.
Boone has also coached collegiately at Arkansas-Monticello (2000-02), UAB (1999-2000), Pearl River Community College (1997-98) and Southern Mississippi
(1996-97). He was a high school coach at Wayne County (Miss.) during the 1998 season.
Boone, a 1997 graduate of Southern Mississippi, played at USM in 1995. Prior to that, he played at Jones County (Miss.) Junior College where he was a two-year starter and voted team captain in 1991 and 1992.
Boone and his wife, Coco, have three children, daughters Cameron and Casidee, and son Colton.
Chris Hatcher was named Samford's 36th head football coach on Dec. 11, 2014.
Entering his ninth season at Samford in 2023, Hatcher boasts a career record of 172-95 in 23 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern and Valdosta State. He is Samford's all-time winningest coach, with a record of 51-38 with the Bulldogs. In his time at Samford, his team's have consistently been among the Southern Conference and FCS leaders in several categories.
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 fi rst outright SoCon title. The team also reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoff s 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 fi fth time in Hatcher's fi rst eight seasons that the Samford quarterback earned the award.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Outside Linebackers
- Member of the Samford Football Coaching Staff
Chris St. John enters his first season as a member of the Samford football coaching staff. St. John coaches the Bulldogs' outside linebackers.
He returns to Birmingham after spending a year on staff at McNeese State as a defensive analyst in 2022. Not a stranger to the Birmingham metro area, St. John was an assistant coach at nearby Hoover High School in 2021.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Title / Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Student - Athlete Academic Services
Job Titles:
- Associate AD for Academic and Compliance Services
Cody Jackson is in his seventh year in Compliance at Samford University, and in his ninth overall in collegiate athletics. He currently serves as the department Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance.
He is responsible for all day-to-day activities of the compliance office. Since beginning as a Compliance Coordinator in 2013, his responsibilities have grown to include providing interpretations and education to boosters, fans, coaches, staff, and university personnel, writing all necessary NCAA waivers, and monitoring all areas to maintain a comprehensive compliance program that adheres to all NCAA and Southern Conference rules.
Job Titles:
- Equipment Graduate Assistant
Job Titles:
- Executive Associate AD for External Affairs
- Title / Executive Associate AD for External Affairs
Corey Green is in his first year as Samford's Executive Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs.
Green has oversight of all external affairs, including development, corporate sponsorships, ticketing, marketing, communications and broadcasting, as well as sport oversight. He assumed his new role on June 13.
"I'm thrilled that Corey is coming back to his alma mater to serve in this very important leadership role," Samford AD Martin Newton said. "Corey has had an incredible career in the financial service industry, most recently as VP at Regions Bank, where his character, integrity, work ethic and leadership skills were cornerstones of his success. His ability to connect with people as well as his experiences at Samford as a former student-athlete on some of the most successful basketball teams in school history, will provide for a smooth transition to college athletics. Bottom line…Corey Green is a winner!"
Green has spent the last 20 years in the financial services industry. He has worked in multiple roles in different segments of the industry including operations, financial advisor, branch manager and small business development officer. Green's most recent position was Commercial Relationship Manager/Vice President for Regions Bank.
"On a personal note, I have leaned on Corey since my arrival at Samford in 2011 for advice and guidance," Newton said. "To be able to work side-by-side with him as we look to take our athletics department and our alma mater to the next level is a dream come true."
Green played basketball at Samford from 1997 to 2002. During his time as a Bulldog, he was a part of the two NCAA Tournament teams, in 1999 and 2000. In his senior season in 2001-02, he led the team in rebounding. Green and his teammates on the 1999 NCAA Tournament team were inducted into the Samford Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
Green has been heavily involved at Samford and in the Birmingham community throughout his career. He currently serves on the Samford Board of Overseers, S-Club (President), SBAA-Ex Officio, Samford Business School Advisory Board and Penny Foundation, and he is the Finance Committee chair.
"This is a dream come true and a dream job," Green said. "Over the past eight years or so, I've been able to get connected again with Samford, get to know the university's leadership, and just fall in love again. I have been in a servant role as a board member and am really appreciative of that."
Green is married to Rohaun Green, and the couple has two sons, Corban (14) and Zaiden (12). They live in the Helena area and are members of Faith Chapel Christian Center.
"I have been very blessed in banking this whole time," Green said. "So, when they approached me about this opportunity, it was unbelievable and I had to process it, but then as it settled in and God confirmed that this is the spot for me and my next assignment, I got excited. I'm just fired up about the opportunity, fired up about the university and the direction we are headed. I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the team and really helping to build out the vision of Dr. Taylor, Martin and all of the trustees. I'm very excited and looking forward to showing what we can do and bringing something new to the table."
Green is a 2002 graduate of Samford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.
Young comes to Samford after spending the last 19 seasons as the head coach at the University of Montevallo, following two seasons as the head coach at Salem International University. In his 19 seasons at Montevallo, Young posted a record of 372-209, and he has a mark of 433-220 in 21 seasons as a college head coach.
In Young's 21 seasons as a head coach, his teams have advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen 10 times. Four of those teams advanced to the Elite Eight while his 2011-12 squad advanced to the NCAA Division II championship game.
Young was named the Gulf South Conference East Division Coach of the Decade for 2000-2010. He led Montevallo to its first Peach Belt Conference regular season championship and its fourth straight West Division championship while guiding the Falcons to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the 10th time in 12 years during the 2014-15 season. Young led the Falcons to 20 wins for the ninth time in his 12 seasons at the helm. The 2014-15 team reached the program's second-straight NCAA Division II Sweet 16 appearance.
In 2011-2012, the Falcons advanced to their first NCAA Division II championship game in school history. Montevallo posted a 29-8 record while winning the Peach Belt Conference West Division Championship, the PBC Tournament Championship, the NCAA Southeast Region Championship and advanced to the NCAA Championship game with wins in the Elite Eight and the Final Four. Coach Young had one senior who was named an All-American by three different organizations while another senior was named the PBC Defensive Player of the Year. He also coached the Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player and had two named All-Region. The trip to the NCAA Tournament marked the seventh in his nine seasons at Montevallo and the Elite Eight was the third trip in seven seasons for Young's squad.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Defensive Lin
- Assistant Coach - Defensive Line
- Member of the Samford Football Coaching Staff
Darien Moody enters his second year as a member of the Samford football coaching staff. Moody coaches the Bulldogs defensive line.
In 2022, Moody helped lead a much-improved defense that helped lead Samford to its best season in over 30 years, posting a record of 11-2 overall and 8-0 in Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs won the program's first-ever outright SoCon title and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991. Under Moody's tutelage, defensive lineman Seth Simmer was named second team All-SoCon.
Moody spent the last two seasons coaching defensive ends at his alma mater, Alcorn State.
Moody graduated from Alcorn in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in business administration. He was a two-time All-Conference First-Team selection and helped the Braves win back-to-back SWAC Championships in 2014 and 2015.
Moody remained at Alcorn and served as a defensive graduate assistant in 2017. The Braves won the SWAC East Division and returned to the SWAC Championship game that season.
In 2018, he worked in a similar capacity at Southern Miss and coached the No. 3 ranked defense in football as the Golden Eagles finished 6-5.
Moody worked as the defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator at Mississippi Valley State in 2019. He coached Jerry Garner who led the SWAC in sacks with nine and was an All-Conference selection.
Moody is a native of Columbus, Ohio and Gahanna Lincoln High School. In 38 games at Alcorn, he registered 102 tackles, 15 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
Good comes to Samford after serving as an assistant coach on McMillan's staff at Mountain Brook High School since 2015. He helped lead the Spartans to three 7A state titles (2019, 2018, 2017), one 7A runner-up (2020), and an overall record of 152-22. During his time at Mountain Brook, the Spartans eclipsed the 30-win mark four times including a 34-3 record in 2018 while ranking No. 17 in the USA Today national rankings and a 31-3 record in 2019 while ranking No. 5 in the USA Today national rankings.
Prior to his time at Mountain Brook, Good taught physical education and coached basketball at Thompson High School and Thompson Middle School from 2012-2015.
From 2007 to 2012, Good was a video coordinator at UAB where he assisted in four straight 20-win seasons, a CUSA Conference Championship in 2011, four post-season appearances (NCAA-2011; NIT-2010, 2009, 2008) and a 107-57 overall record. Good also served as a Graduate Assistant at Eastern Michigan University from 2005-2007.
Good began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Shepherd High School in Michigan from 2004 to 2005, helping lead the team to a 19-2 record and a conference title.
Good earned a Master of Science in Education from UAB (2012), Master of Science in Sports Management from Eastern Michigan University (2010) and a Bachelor of Science in Sports Studies from Central Michigan University (2004).
Good and his wife, Lucy have two daughters, Addie Mae (8) and Evie Kate (5).
Job Titles:
- General Manager of Ticket Sales and Operations
- Ticketing ( Taymar Sales U. )
Job Titles:
- Director of Development
- Title / Director of Development
In his current role, Kovash's duties include the identification, cultivation, security and stewardship of major gifts that support the operating budgets and capital projects for Samford's 17 sports, 360 student-athletes and athletic facilities. He also works in conjunction with the Bulldog Club staff and university-wide advancement team to further the mission of Samford University and Samford Athletics.
Prior to coming to Samford, Kovash spent 10 years with Firehouse Ministries. During his time with the organization, he served as the program coordinator/housing (2009-11), development director (2011-15) and assistant director (2016-19).
Kovash also spent 28 years (1989-2016) in baseball as either a coach or a scout.
He spent time as the head coach at Central Alabama Community College (2015-16), Lawson State Community College (2013-15), Presbyterian College (1993-2004), Emory University (1990-93) and Susquehanna University (1988-90).
He also served as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) from 2006-09 and at Birmingham-Southern College from 2004-06. Kovash was also a scout with the San Diego Padres organization from 2010-12.
Kovash earned his bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in coaching from Concordia College (MN) in 1986. He then received a master's degree in physical education with an emphasis in sport psychology from Miami University (OH) in 1988.
Job Titles:
- Associate AD for Development and Director of the S - Club
- Development
Veteran athletic administrator Dr. E. J. Brophy was hired in May 2022 as Assistant Athletic Director for Development and Director of the S-Club.
Brophy comes to Samford with a wealth of experience in college athletics, including serving over 16 years in administration with stints as the Director of Athletics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of West Alabama, and as Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs at UAB.
Dr. Brophy also coached baseball at the college level for seven years, including a year at Samford, a year at the University of Montevallo and five years as the head coach at Wallace Community College in Selma.
Most recently, Brophy was the General Manager of the Hoover Metropolitan Complex, and he has also been a frequent color analyst on Samford baseball and softball ESPN+ broadcasts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
- Primary Care, Sports Medicine Team Physician
- Primary Care, Sports Medicine Team Physician / 205 - 726 - 2805 205 - 726 - 2805
Emily Bell Casey, MD, is a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. As a non-surgical sports medicine physician, Dr. Casey treats all types of orthopaedic medical issues. A former cheerleader and dancer, Dr. Casey has special interest in treating athletic injuries. She also has extensive experience with non-orthopaedic, athletic issues such as concussions, stress fractures and nutritional concerns in female athletes.
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to the Head Coach
Basketball coaching legend Duane Reboul enters his first season on the Samford staff. He will serve as a Special Assistant to the Head Coach.
Reboul was one of the top basketball coaches in the nation during his 17 seasons as the head coach at Birmingham-Southern, where he was head coach Bucky McMillan's head coach. He led his teams to two NAIA National Championships, three NAIA Final 4 appearances and four NAIA Elite Eight runs. He was named the 1995 National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Reboul earned Southern States Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1990, 1993 and 1995. He was named State of Alabama Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1997, and the TranSouth Conference Division Coach of the Year in 1998. He led the program through its transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division I, earning Big South Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2004 and 2006, and his 2004 team won the Big South Conference title.
In his time as the Panthers' head coach, Reboul won 402 games, averaging nearly 24 wins per season. His teams posted an impressive nine consecutive 20-win seasons.
Job Titles:
- Donor Relations Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director of Compliance
- Title / Director of Compliance
Erika Layton was named Director of Compliance on February 6, 2023. Layton comes to Samford University after her second stint at Wagner College where she most recently served as the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, Equity & Inclusion.
In her role at Wagner, she oversaw all aspects of the institution's Compliance Office and its 26 varsity sport programs. In addition to her compliance responsibilities, Layton served as the sport supervisor for men's lacrosse, softball, and men's and women's water polo as well as a member of the executive leadership team.
Prior to Wagner, Layton served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at Canisius College. She oversaw all compliance-related initiatives for Canisius' 20-varsity sports program while being a vital member of the athletic department's management staff. Additionally, Layton was the advisor for the Canisius' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and handled the day-to-day operations of student services.
Before accepting the position at Canisius, Layton was the Assistant Director of Compliance at the University of Rhode Island. At Rhode Island, she worked closely with the Rams' 18 Division I sports program, handling all NCAA and A10 waivers, NCAA reporting, financial aid, playing and practice seasons, and camps and clinics.
Layton got her start in the realm of compliance working two years at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in Edison, NJ, where she was the Director of Compliance. At the MAAC, she was responsible for handling all inquiries and interactions between the MAAC membership and the NCAA's national office, while supervising as the conference's resource officer for the NCAA Institutional Performance Program, which oversaw the National Letter of Intent (NLI) program and enforcing the MAAC Bylaws and Administrative agreements.
In 2016, Layton was the media relations and marketing graduate assistant at Wagner. In this role, she was the primary media contact for the men's and women's water polo program in addition to her marketing duties.
During the 2015-16 academic year, Layton began her first tenure at the MAAC as an Administrative Fellow, assisting with the conference's marketing efforts throughout basketball season. She was also the promotions coordinator at the MAAC men's and women's basketball championships and at the AdvoCare Invitational, held at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports.
A native of Hyde Park, N.Y., Layton is a 2015 graduate of Siena College, where she was a four-year MAAC All-Academic Performer as a member of the Saints' swimming & diving program. A team co-captain and SAAC representative, she earned her bachelor's degree in business management and a master's degree from Wagner in business administration, with a concentration in marketing in 2018.
Job Titles:
- Executive Associate AD for Operations
Job Titles:
- Valdosta State Director of Athletics
"I am pleased for Carley because the Samford job is a great opportunity. Carley has revitalized our Lady Blazer basketball program. While I am disappointed that she will not continue at Valdosta State, I know she will represent VSU tremendously in her new role. I can speak for all Blazer fans when I say we wish her the best."
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategic Communications ( MBB, BSB, VB )
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD for Facilities, Game Operations and Equipment
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Football )
Job Titles:
- Director of Diversity & Intercultural Initiatives for Athletics
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD for Sports Information ( HIST, HOF, WSOC, M / W Golf, M / W Tennis, XC, T & F )
"I was an assistant coach at UAB in the mid-90's when a young, tough, smart little point guard came to our camp and led his team. Bucky was a Good Player at BSC before embarking on an incredibly successful high school coaching career at his alma mater. I'm truly excited for him as he embarks on the tremendous opportunity provided to him by Samford University!! Can't wait to watch him do great things at that great university!!
Job Titles:
- Director of Olympic Strength and Conditioning
Job Titles:
- Volunteer Assistant Coach
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Running Backs
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement
Job Titles:
- Associate AD for Business Operations
Job Titles:
- Special Teams Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Tackles / Tight Ends
Job Titles:
- Athletic Trainer ( Women's Basketball / Men 's Tennis )
Job Titles:
- Director of Football Operations
Job Titles:
- Director of Student - Athlete Academic Services
Job Titles:
- Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine Team Physician
Job Titles:
- Administration
- Director of Athletics
Job Titles:
- Gulf South Conference Commissioner
"Coach Kuhns did a fantastic job at Valdosta State, and I would expect nothing less from her at Samford. Her professionalism, coaching knowledge, and ability to connect with people make her a standout in the industry. This is certainly a loss for the GSC and Division II, but I'm very excited to see what her future holds."
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of Athletics for Student - Athlete Well - Being / SWA
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant Jumps Coach
Job Titles:
- Director of Player Development
Job Titles:
- Associate AD for Facilities, Game Operations and Equipment
Job Titles:
- University of Alabama Head Coach
"Bucky is an incredible leader of young men. He is fully committed to his players' overall development both on and off the court. Samford just got a lot better by hiring Bucky!
Job Titles:
- Broadcast & Creative Content Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director of the Bulldog Club
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Football / Softball )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Head Coach - Offensive Coordinator / Wide Receivers
Job Titles:
- Football Video Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Head Track and Field Coach / Director of Cross Country
Job Titles:
- Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Job Titles:
- Corporate Sponsorship Sales
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Athletics Administrative Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Athletics Administrative Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Associate Head Coach - Offensive Lin
Job Titles:
- Director of Internal Operations
Job Titles:
- Director of Football Management
Job Titles:
- Nike Sports Marketing Executive
"Carley Kuhns was the beginning force in the recruiting juggernaut at Belmont that brought many talented players, resulting in four conference championships and four NCAA appearances. She will recruit those same kind of student-athletes to Samford".
Job Titles:
- University of Georgia Head Coach
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Head
- Samford Baseball Head Coach
Job Titles:
- Xavier University Head Coach
"Great hire for Samford University. Bucky has been ultra-successful as a head coach at Mountain Brook and every coach I know who's seen him work all agree he can coach at this level. Bucky will be a force on the recruiting trail as well, having been a part of so many successful teams and players at Mountain Brook. One of the biggest bright spots of this hire is the excitement Bucky will bring to the program, to Birmingham and to college basketball in Alabama. We were able to tap into that when I was at Samford and it helped bring about the success we enjoyed. It's just an excellent hire by Samford University and Martin Newton."
Job Titles:
- Director of Sports Performance ( MBB )
Job Titles:
- Director of Strategic Communications ( FB, WBB, SB )
Job Titles:
- Director of Facilities and Operations
Job Titles:
- Associate Head Coach ( Pitching ) / Recruiting Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director of Basketball Operations
Job Titles:
- Director of Sports Medicine - Head Football Athletic Trainer
Job Titles:
- Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Job Titles:
- Assistant AD for Sports Performance and Project Samson