Tag: Matt Merritt

Former Vols’ offensive analyst to serve as Alex Golesh’s associate head coach

Former Vols’ offensive analyst to serve as Alex Golesh’s associate head coach at USF.

Alex Golesh was hired as the University of South Florida’s head coach on Dec. 4.

Golesh served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.

Matt Merritt will serve as associate head coach and running game coordinator on Golesh’s staff at USF.

Merritt served as a senior offensive analyst at Tennessee in 2021 on Josh Heupel’s staff. He was hired as Georgia Southern’s running backs coach in 2022.

“Matt is an excellent coach who has guided dynamic rushing attacks at several programs and was part of a national championship winning staff at Ohio State and a staff that played for a national title at JMU,” Golesh said. “He will bring a tremendous work ethic and leadership to his role as associate head coach and I am very excited he and his family have chosen to join us in Tampa and be a part of building a championship Bulls program.”

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1,000-yard running back Dylan McDuffie discusses entering transfer portal

1,000-yard running back Dylan McDuffie discusses entering the NCAA transfer portal.

Junior running back Dylan McDuffie has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The 6-foot, 207-pound running back had a breakout season in 2021 at Buffalo, totaling 1,049 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 206 attempts.

McDuffie also recorded 14 receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown during the 2021 campaign.

In 2021, McDuffie played in Shane Montgomery’s offense at Buffalo. Montgomery was hired as the Bulls’ offensive coordinator in May 2021. He came to Buffalo after serving as offensive coordinator at James Madison from 2019-20.

Montgomery’s running backs coach at James Madison was Matt Merritt. Merritt served as a senior offensive analyst at Tennessee under Josh Heupel in 2021. Merritt was introduced as Georgia Southern’s running backs coach on Friday.

McDuffie told Vols Wire he has been in contact with a good amount of coaches and wants to go somewhere and play his style and win. McDuffie also noted he loves tempo offenses.

Tennessee’s 2023 football commitment tracker

Vols’ 2023 recruiting tracker: Running back offers

2021 final statistics: Tennessee’s leaders for rushing yards

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Tennessee analyst hired at Georgia Southern following Music City Bowl

Tennessee analyst hired at Georgia Southern following the Music City Bowl.

Matt Merritt served as a senior offensive analyst at Tennessee in 2021 on Josh Heupel’s staff.

Following the Vols’ season finale against Purdue Thursday in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, Merritt has been introduced as Georgia Southern’s running backs coach on Clay Helton’s staff.

“I am both thankful and thrilled for this opportunity to join Coach Helton’s staff and Eagle Nation,” Merritt said. “Georgia Southern’s rich tradition, history and passionate fan base are second to none in college athletics. I cannot wait to arrive in Statesboro and continue to build upon the culture of a physical and explosive run game. Eagle Nation, let’s GATA!”

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